In this research, four samples of 3.5% Cr steel plates were hardfaced using austenitic stainless-steel buffer electrodes and martensitic steel hardfacing electrodes with a submerged arc welding process. This research seeks to the optimum welding parameters to get maximum wear resistance in the hardfaced layer. Heat inputs of 15 kJ cm− 1 to 18 kJ cm− 1 and Direct Current Electrode Positive (DC+) and Alternating Current Electrode (AC) welding polarities were applied. The microstructural analysis was conducted using an optical microscope (OM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Microhardness values of the hardfaced samples were obtained using a Vickers hardness tester, and abrasive wear mass loss was measured using a dry sand rubber wheel apparatus, following ASTM G65 A standard. It was seen that the hardness profiles across the cross-section of the top hardfaced layer and along the top surface were different. The microstructure in the deposited layers, especially the quantity of martensite phase played a major influence on the wear resistance. Hardfaced layers applied with low heat input showed the highest amount of martensite phase and lowest abrasive mass loss. The hardfaced layers using AC polarity contained higher amount of martensite and lower abrasive mass loss than the layers applied using DC+ polarity.