Volume 48, No 3, 2026, Pages 456-473
Download full text in PDFEnhancing the Tribo-Mechanical Properties of AISI 304 Steel Using Cladding Techniques: A Review
Authors:
Rajeev Ranjan 
,
Anil Kumar Das
DOI: 10.24874/ti.2017.09.25.11
Received: 5 September 2025
Revised: 18 October 2025
Accepted: 4 November 2025
Published: 15 September 2026
Abstract:
AISI 304 steel has limited use in several applications because of its high friction coefficient, insufficient hardness, and inadequate resistance. To wear. Enhancing the tribological and mechanical characteristics of the material can be enhanced by applying a coating to its surface. Cladding, a surface modification method, is employed to form layers on the substrate with improved biocompatibility, durability, resistance to high-temperature oxidation, and mechanical strength. Proper material selection, along with appropriate cladding techniques and process parameters, is crucial for achieving these enhanced properties. Hard transition metals, metal matrix composites, alloys, ceramics, high-entropy alloys, nano-composites, rare earth oxides, and solid lubricants are frequently used to coat AISI 304 steel. The application of these coatings is to boost the hardness, wear resistance, corrosion-resistance, and extend the lifespan of steel. This study reviews the results of widely-used wear-resistant cladding methods applied to AISI 304 steel surfaces, while examining key functional claddings in detail. Contemporary problems and future perspectives are also reviewed, with a particular emphasis on identifying facts and technological gaps and proposing future research possibilities. It is recommended that future advancements in wear-resistant cladding should emphasize smart manufacturing techniques, optimize microstructural configurations, and develop numerical simulations for cladding processes to enhance toughness and hardness.
Keywords:
Cladding, AISI 304 steel, Micro-hardness, Wear resistance, Microstructure
