Exploring modern welding techniques: spotlight on friction surfacing using particle-reinforced consumables
Ahmad Shah, Daulat Kumar Sharma, Krunal Mehta, Vishvesh Badheka
Abstract
Modern industries show continuously increasing demand for materials capable of performing reliably under varying environmental conditions. Achieving multiple functional properties in a single component remains a key challenge in materials engineering. Friction surfacing, a solid-state cladding technique, offers a promising alternative to conventional liquid-state processes by enabling the deposition of diverse material systems with improved economic and operational feasibility. A consumable rod and a substrate are used to generate a metallurgical bond, thereby improving surface characteristics and extending component life. Incorporation of ceramic or reinforcement particles into the consumable material can further enhance mechanical strength, thermal stability, and wear resistance attributes particularly beneficial toagriculture, aerospace, and automotive sectors. This paper presents an overview of friction surfacing especially the types of reinforcement materials employed, their methods of incorporation, and impact of key process parameters on the resulting surface properties. They underscore the potential of reinforced friction surfacing to deliver tailored surface performance for advanced engineering applications.