Abstract
The purpose of this study is to improve the wear resistance and hardness of Al alloy by making a formation of the thick surface hardening layers. The thick surface hardening layers were formed by PTAW(Plasma Transferred Arc Welding), with the addition of metal powders (Cu), ceramics powders (NbC, TiC), and mixture powders (Cu+NbC) in Al alloy (A1050, A5083). Mechanical properties of overlaid layers (wear resistance, hardness) were investigated in relation to the microstructure. The results obtained are summarized as follows: The depth of penetration was increased with increasing powder feeding rate. It is considered that these increase were due to the thermal pinch effect by the addition of powders, especially, for the Cu powders, were due to the heat of reaction with the matrix. The hardness and wear resistance of overlaid layers were improved with increasing powder feeding rate. For the Cu powders, it is considered that these increase were due to the increase of the formation of ${\theta}(CuAl_2)$ phase with increasing feeding rate of Cu powers.