Effect of sandblasting and aging on structural and mechanical properties of Inconel 625 coated steels for marine applications

In present study, the Inconel 625 alloy was coated using TIG welding method, and the coating was subjected to sandblasting and artificial aging. The coating samples were examined by wear and corrosion tests to evaluate their performance in marine applications. The study characterized different sample groups for the purposes of coating steel samples, coating surfaces by deformation, applying aging processes, and observing the combined effects of aging and deformation. Wet-sliding wear and corrosion tests were conducted in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The presence of compressive stresses resulting from sandblasting and aging led to microstructural changes, while formation of delta, gamma ', gamma '' phases and complex carbides contributed to increased wear and corrosion resistance. Deformation supported the precipitation of gamma ', gamma '' phases and carbides. Aging increased the hardness by 30 %, whereas the sandblasting process doubled up the hardness of as-deposited coating. Maximum corrosion resistance was obtained in the aged sample without applying sandblasting.