Study on process optimization of WC-Co50 cermet composite coating by laser cladding

In order to optimize the process of tungsten carbide (WC)-reinforced Co50 cermet composite coating by laser cladding, Co-based coatings with 40 wt% WC were deposited on the surface of cone bit 15MnNi4Mo steel by 4 kW fiber laser. A single-factor experiment was designed to study the variation of the geometrical size, dilution rate and hardness of cladding layers with the change of various factors. Then, an orthogonal experiment was designed to study the optimal parameters for the laser cladding process by taking the hardness and dilution rate of the coatings as comprehensive indexes. Based on the results of the above experiments, the mathematical model of the relationship between the geometrical size of the cladding layers with the process parameters was established by regression analysis. In addition, the three-dimensional structure and microstructure of the coatings were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results revealed that with the increase of the laser power, the width of the cladding layer, the depth of the molten pool and the dilution rate gradually increased, while the coating height remained basically unchanged. Additionally, with the increase of the scanning speed, the coating height and the molten pool depth were relatively greatly reduced, while the coating width decreased little. Furthermore, with the increase of the powder feeding rate, the width of the cladding layer, the molten pool depth and the dilution rate gradually decreased, while the coating height gradually increased. The optimal process parameters are as follows: laser power of 2.4 kW, scanning speed of 7 mm/s, and powder feeding rate of 0.5 g/s. The mathematical model established by regression analysis fitted the width of the cladding layer best, and the minimum relative error was only 0.023%. The microstructure showed that metallurgical bonding was achieved between the coatings and substrates. Also, the coatings were compact and free of defects such as cracks and pores.     

A comparative study of the structure and wear resistance of NiCrBSi/50 wt.% WC composite coatings by laser cladding and laser induction hybrid cladding

NiCrBSi/50 wt.% WC composite coatings were produced on carbon steel via laser cladding (LC) and laser induction hybrid cladding (LIHC). The microstructure and phase constituents of the composite coatings before dry sliding wear and the wear behavior were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Under the same laser processing parameters, the cladding height during LC was much higher than that during LIHC, whereas the dilution, cladding width, heat-affected-zone (HAZ) and efficiency of powder utilization during LC were much smaller than those during LIHC. Additionally, WC particles suffered from more severe heat damage during LIHC compared with those during LC, resulting in the precipitation of herringbone, dendritic and blocky carbides and inhomogeneous distribution of WC particles in the composite coating. However, the increase of the laser scanning speed during LIHC decreased the heat damage of WC particles, improved the homogenous distribution of WC particles and further increased the microhardness of the binder metal, which in turn led to an increase in the wear resistance of the composite coating.     

Synthesis and coating of micro-metal-matrix composite by combined laser sol-gel processing

Of the many methods of laser treatment for improving materials surface properties that have been reported, very few have addressed laser-assisted chemical reaction. In this work laser deposition of metal-matrix composites is reported, using chromium oxide and silicon carbide powders mixed in silica sol-gel mixtures, on EN43 mild steel substrates. Very fine SiC particles ≤ 1 μm and M₇C₃ carbides were synthesised in situ and dispersed in ferrite matrix by this process. A diode laser at different powers and scanning speeds was applied to specimens coated with slurries of different chemical compositions. The effect of solution composition and bath depths were examined in order to achieve optimum experimental parameters. Surface morphology and microstructure of the deposited coatings and substrate surface layers were examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). Chemical composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The different phases were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results of microhardness measurements and wear properties of the coatings are also reported. Thermodynamic analysis of the reactions taking place is also given.     

Microstructure and wear properties of TiC/FeCrBSi surface composite coating prepared by laser cladding

Titanium carbide particles reinforced Fe-based surface composite coatings were fabricated by laser cladding using a 5 kW CO₂ laser. The microstructure, phase structure and wear properties were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, as well as dry sliding wear test. The results showed that TiC carbides were formed via in situ reaction between ferrotitanium and graphite in the molten pool during the laser-clad process. The morphology of TiC is mainly cubic and dendritic form; and the TiC carbides were distributed uniformly in the composite coating. The TiC/matrix interface was found to be free from cracks and deleterious phases. The coatings reinforced by TiC particles revealed higher wear resistance and lower friction coefficient than that of the substrate and FeCrBSi laser-clad coating.     

Improvement of the oxidation and wear resistance of pure Ti by laser cladding at elevated temperature

NiCrBSi and NiCrBSi/WC-Ni composite coatings were produced on pure Ti substrates by the laser cladding technology. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis was used to evaluate the high temperature oxidation resistance of the laser cladding coatings. The friction and wear behavior was tested through sliding against the Si₃N₄ ball at elevated temperatures of 300 °C and 500 °C. Besides, the morphologies of the worn surfaces and wear debris were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and three dimensional non-contact surface mapping. The results show that the microhardness, high temperature oxidation resistance and high temperature wear resistance of the pure Ti substrates are greatly increased. For the pure Ti substrate, the wear behavior is dominated by adhesive wear, abrasive wear and severe plastic deformation, while both laser cladding coatings, involving only mild abrasive and fatigue wear, are able to prevent the substrates from severe adhesion and abrasive wear. In particular, the laser cladding NiCrBSi/WC-Ni composite coating shows better high temperature wear resistance than the NiCrBSi coating, which is due to the formation of a hard WC phase in the composite coating.     

A parametric study of Inconel 625 wire laser deposition

Laser deposition with wire offers saving potentials over powder based systems. These include a cleaner processing environment, reduced economic and environmental cost of producing the wire, better surface finish and higher material deposition rates. This technique is rapidly finding applications for the manufacture and repair of high value components. For the first time, the deposition of Inconel 625 wire for single tracks at varying processing parameters using a 2-kW Ytterbium doped fibre laser has been investigated. A process map predicting the process characteristics in terms of wire dripping, smooth wire transfer and wire stubbing at different cladding conditions has been developed. Track geometrical characteristics including aspect ratio and contact angle were evaluated using surface profilometry and optical microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to determine the dilution ratio (%) of the tracks. Wire deposition volume per unit length of track and energy per unit length of track were found to be key parameters influencing both the process and track geometrical characteristics. Aspect ratio and dilution ratio showed positive dependency whereas contact angle showed negative dependency on energy per unit length of track. Conversely, material deposition volume per unit length of track varied directly with contact angle but inversely with aspect ratio and dilution ratio (ranging from 0% to 24%). Processing conditions at which a combination of favourable single track properties including low contact angle (<80°), minimal dilution ratio (5–13%) and high surface quality were achieved are presented. These properties are required for depositing overlapped tracks of good surface finish, minimal dilution and free of inter-run porosity.     

Optimization of laser cladding process using taguchi and EM methods for MMC coating production

This study investigates the influence of laser cladding parameters on the geometry and composition of metalmatrix composite (MMC) coatings. Composite coatings are made of a Ni-Cr-B-Si metallic matrix and of WC reinforcement with a volume fraction of 50%. Optical microscopy is used to characterize the coating geometry (height, width, and penetration depth) and to determine the real volumetric content of WC. Laser cladding on low-carbon steel substrate is carried out using a cw neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, a coaxial powder injection system, and a combination of Taguchi and EM methods to design the experiments. This combination explores efficiently the multidimensional volume of laser cladding parameters. The results, which express the interrelationship between laser cladding parameters and the characteristics of the clad produced, can be used to find optimum laser parameters, to predict the responses, and to improve the understanding of laser cladding process. This article was originally published inBuilding on 100 Years of Success, Proceedings of the 2006 International Thermal Spray Conference (Seattle, WA), May 15–18, 2006, B.R. Marple, M.M. Hyland, Y.-Ch. Lau, R.S. Lima, and J. Voyer, Ed., ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 2006.     

Microstructures and properties of Co-based alloy coatings prepared on surface of H13 steel

The Co-based alloy coatings had been prepared by laser cladding and vacuum fusion sintering. Microstructures of the coatings were investigated and the performance of thermal cycling was also tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the coatings and substrates combine well. The main phase compositions of laser cladding coating are γ-Co, Cr23C6 and Ni2.9Cr0.7Fe0.36, while vacuum fusion sintering coating consists of Co, Cr7C3 , and Ni2.9Cr0.7Fe0.36. After thermal cycling, the minimum hot cracking width of laser cladding coating is 14 μm; moreover, laser cladding coating maintains high hardness and hot-cracking susceptibility. Those are beneficial to high temperature wear resistance of hot work dies.     

工艺参数对送粉激光熔覆层几何形貌的影响

系统地研究了Ｎｉ基合金自动送粉激光熔覆工艺参数对熔覆层几何形貌的影响。重点讨论了一一些参数和如激光作用能量密度、作用时间、送粉速率、扫描速度等对熔覆层宏观质量的影响规律。利用金相法检测了熔履层的几何参数。为解释工艺参数对熔覆层宏观质量的影响提出了送粉不各种各样科班经的概念,并利用检测的熔覆层宏观参数计算了覆盖率。覆盖率随扫描速度增加而减小,随送粉速率的增加而增。在本试验条件下,研究结果表明,随激光     

Influence of laser cladding process on the magnetic properties of WC–FeNiCr metal–matrix composite coatings

Metal–matrix composite (MMC) coatings were deposited by laser cladding technique with direct injection of WC–FeNiCr powder onto N1310 nonmagnetic steel matrix. Laser cladding was conducted using a Trumpf6000 CO₂ laser. The morphology of WC–FeNiCr MMC coatings was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetic properties of WC–FeNiCr MMC coatings were examined by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature. The influence of laser cladding process on the magnetic properties of coatings was investigated. It was found that the content of tungsten carbide and laser power have significant effect on the magnetic properties of composite coatings. The evolution of phase constitution at different laser power was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The presence of an austenitic γ-(Fe, Ni), Cr_0.19Fe_0.7Ni_0.11, Fe₃W₃C, WC and W₂C phases were confirmed by the XRD analysis in the laser clad layer.     

激光熔覆WC-Ni基超硬梯度复合涂层的组织与性能

利用激光宽带熔覆技术在45钢表面制备了WC-Ni基超硬梯度复合涂层.对激光熔覆层用SEM、EDS、XRD进行观察和分析.对比研究了单一熔覆层、梯度熔覆层的熔覆层形貌、缺陷状态、硬度及其分布.结果表明,单一熔覆层易出现宏观裂纹、界面处熔合差等缺陷;梯度激光熔覆层逐级过渡的结合形式缓解了应力集中,使应力合理分布.在优化的工艺参数下,通过连续控制微观结构要素,可以实现成分、组织的梯度变化,获得无气孔、无裂纹的梯度熔覆涂层.其中,梯度熔覆层组织主要是由γ-Ni、WC等相组成,涂层的硬度值从熔覆层至基体呈梯度降低趋势,外层平均硬度可达2000 HV0.1以上.     

Effect of Microstructure on the Electrical Properties of Nano-Structured TiN Coatings Deposited by Vacuum Cold Spray

TiN coatings on Al₂O₃ substrates were fabricated by vacuum cold spray (VCS) process using ultrafine starting ceramic powders of 20 nm in size at room temperature (RT). Microstructure analysis of the samples was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Sheet resistance of the VCS TiN coatings was measured with a four-point probe. The effects of microstructure on the electrical properties of the coatings were investigated. It was found that the sheet resistance and electrical resistivity of TiN coatings were significantly associating with the spray distance, nozzle traversal speed, and deposition chamber pressure. A minimum sheet resistance of 127 Ω was achieved. The microstructural changes can be correlated to the electrical resistivity of TiN coatings.     

激光熔覆CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金工艺优化及预测模型研究

目的 探究激光熔覆工艺参数对CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金涂层质量及形貌的影响,实现激光熔覆CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金涂层形貌的精确控制。方法 基于田口正交法,设计不同激光工艺参数下30CrMnSiA表面激光熔覆CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金实验,以激光功率、扫描速度、送粉速率为影响因素,以涂层稀释率、高度、宽度、裂纹密度、宽高比为响应目标,通过方差和信噪比分析影响因素与响应目标的关系,并确定最优工艺参数,建立工艺参数与CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金涂层性能和形貌的支持向量回归预测模型。结果 激光功率对熔覆层稀释率、宽度和裂纹密度的影响较大,且与熔覆层稀释率、高度、宽度、裂纹密度、宽高比呈正相关。扫描速度对涂层高度、裂纹密度和宽高比的影响较大,与涂层高度呈负相关,与涂层裂纹密度和宽高比呈正相关。送粉速率对熔覆层稀释率、高度和宽高比的影响较大,与熔覆层稀释率和高度呈负相关,与熔覆层宽高比呈正相关。得到了最优工艺参数,激光功率为600 W,扫描速度为18 mm/s,送粉速率为1.6 r/min。通过预测模型测试可知,熔覆层稀释率、高度、宽度、裂纹密度和宽高比预测模型的决定系数均大于0.93。结论 基于支持向量回归的CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金涂层形貌预测模型的精度较高,能够实现CoCrFeNiTi高熵合金熔覆层形貌的精确预测,为熔覆层形貌的控制提供了新的思路。     

Laser surface modification using Inconel 617 machining swarf as coating material

A single-stage, blown powder laser cladding process is used to deposit a protective layer of Ni-based alloy Inconel 617 on mild steel substrates. A Design of Experiments methodology is used to analyse the effects of the major laser cladding processing parameters on the deposited layer characteristics. Layer thickness, microstructure, dilution, elemental composition and corrosion resistance are analysed and correlated with the processing parameters and the overall effectiveness of the protective coating assessed. The work is different in that the protective material, usually in the form of costly powder, is in this case virtually cost-free and simply recycled from machining waste without any costly atomisation or similar process. The results show a number of significant relationships between the processing parameters and the effectiveness of the protective coating. The layer thickness and hardness were found to increase with the mass feed rate and decrease with an increase in laser power. A mainly columnar dendritic microstructure was observed in the clads. There was no evidence of significant bonding defects, trapped unmelted particles or porosity under most conditions. In all samples, the coatings displayed significant higher corrosion resistance than the mild steel sample.     

铌合金电子束表面熔覆层裂纹控制

在铌合金表面进行了电子束熔覆硅化物涂层试验.利用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)观察了涂层表面形貌,通过分析熔覆层表面的裂纹率以及裂纹的最大宽度,对熔覆涂层质量进行评价,研究了电子束熔覆参数对裂纹的影响.结果表明,裂纹倾向随着电子束束流、聚焦电流及扫描速度的增大呈先减小后增大的变化规律,通过控制电子束熔覆参数的合理匹配可以实现对涂层裂纹的控制.通过单变量试验和正交优化试验,筛选出了优化的熔覆处理工艺参数为:电子束束流为17 mA,聚焦电流为1 885mA,扫描速度为540 mm/min.采用优化工艺参数获得的涂层的熔覆效果较理想,表面平整光滑无裂纹,晶粒致密均匀.     

Synthesis of diamond-like carbon coatings on aluminum 6061 T-91 substrates by laser sintering of ultra-nanocrystalline diamond powders

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have been prepared on aluminum 6061 T-91 substrates with the aid of electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) of ultra-nanocrystalline diamond powders (2-8 nm) followed by direct laser sintering technique. A continuous-wave CO₂ laser was utilized, producing a dense, adherent DLC coating with a nominal thickness of 10 μm under optimal laser parameters that included laser power of 200 W, spot size of 1 mm by 0.1 mm and scanning speed of 254 mm/s. The evidence of DLC formation and its purity was obtained by characterizing the samples with Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy. Functional evaluation of DLC coatings was performed using scratch, micro-hardness, fracture toughness and surface roughness tests. Raman measurements showed the presence of a broader peak at around 1332 cm^− 1 (characteristic of pure diamond) for electrostatically deposited samples and the presence of DLC with a broad asymmetric hump in the region of 1000 to 1600 cm^− 1 for laser-sintered samples. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the presence of carbon phases in the coatings. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed a fairly uniform and dense coating with a nominal thickness of 10 μm and a heat affected zone of 60-80 μm. These coatings exhibited micro-hardness in the range of 2150 to 2350 kg/mm² when measured using a Vickers diamond pyramid indenter at a load of 0.5 N. In some localized regions, hardness of 9000 kg/mm² was obtained. Scratch tests revealed a fairly homogenous coating with strong adhesive nature having almost four times the average critical force when compared against the electrostatically deposited sample. Fracture toughness and surface roughness are well within the acceptable ranges of DLC coatings. The capability of laser sintering to produce thick DLC coatings with outstanding mechanical and tribological properties and excellent bonding with aluminum offers the possibility to tailor an extreme lightweight, strong and wear-resistant material.     

激光-感应复合熔覆WC-Ni涂层极限条件研究

为解决熔覆层易开裂、熔覆效率低的问题以及合理地选择工艺参数.进行了激光-感应复合熔覆Ni基WC涂层的实验,定义了激光高速扫描下的极限熔覆状态,研究了激光比能与粉末面密度对熔覆层宏观形貌的影响规律.结果表明,最小激光比能、最大熔覆层厚度、接触角均与最大粉末面密度呈线性关系;激光-感应复合熔覆速度达3000 mm/min,送粉率达82.7 g/min,相对单纯激光熔覆技术的效率提高了近5倍,而且获得的Ni60A+20%WC涂层经检测无裂纹.     

Laser engineered surfaces from glass forming alloy powder precursors: Microstructure and wear

Fe-based metallic glass forming powders have been deposited on mild steel substrates using high power laser cladding. Coatings microstructures have been analysed by scanning- and transmission-electron microscopy and at varying substrate dilutions, have been found to comprise a 100 to 500 nm interdendritic austenitic phase and a dendritic dual-phase of ferrite/martensite. The application of double layer coatings has shown microstructural refinement. This leads to a needle-like microstructure resulting in a nanoindentation tested hardness increase from ~ 11 GPa up to almost 15 GPa. The layers have been subjected to both dry sliding wear and 3-body microscale abrasive wear testing. The dry sliding results show the layers to exhibit excellent wear resistance - particularly at high speed (50 cm s^− 1) with wear rate values of ~ 1 × 10^− 8 mm³/Nm being recorded for the double layer coatings. The single layer coatings reveal a micro-wear mechanism connected with the slip between the ferrite and martensite in the dendritic dual-phase. Microscale abrasive wear testing also reveals that the layers have a good wear resistance, with wear scars exhibiting characteristic material removal by micro-chipping. There is no preferential abrasion of any one phase, nor are track over-lap areas, cracks or pores found to result in varying wear scar dimensions.     

Evaluation of the mechanical properties of WC-FeAl composite coating fabricated by laser cladding method

WC-Co coating, which is a subcategory of Tungsten Carbide-based coatings, is prominent among a variety of industries. However, because of its expense, poisoning, and low corrosion resistance of Cobalt in acidic environments, alternative compositions have been designed. One of these alternatives is the Iron Aluminide intermetallic compound which can replace Cobalt. This study investigates laser cladding of WC-FeAl powder on a 321 Stainless-Steel substrate. WC-FeAl powders were synthesized by mechanical alloying of initial Aluminum and Iron powders, milled for 20 h, followed by an hour of annealing at 800 degrees Celsius. Then, the annealed particles were mechanically alloyed with WC powders for 50 h. The result of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that no brittle and destructive phase was formed during synthesis. Subsequently, powders were coated on the stainless-steel substrate by laser cladding method. Effect of the main parameters of the laser cladding, including laser power, laser probe velocity, and powder spray rate, on the coating properties, such as porosity, geometry, thickness and, dilution were studied. Results indicate that with a higher power of the laser, the penetration depth and the width of the coating increased. Besides, with a higher velocity of the laser probe, dilution and penetration depth decreased. Furthermore, the Higher rate of powder spray led to a thicker coating. The optimum parameters of different samples were 250 W power, 4 mm/s probe velocity, and 400 mg/s powder spray rate. Evaluation of the mechanical properties indicated that the 1600 Vickers hardness, 5.7 MPa.m1/2 fracture toughness, and 355 GPa Young's modulus were obtained. Besides, The evaluation of the mechanical properties of the coating showed that the hardness, fracture toughness, and elasticity modulus are 1600 V, 5.7 MPa.m1/2, and 355 GPa respectively. Obtained results revealed that in comparison with the WC-FeAl composite coating with 500 ppm additional Boron and WC-Co coating both fabricated by thermal spray coating, for the WC-FeAl coating studied in this investigation, respectively the hardness is 1.16 and 1.21 times higher and the fracture toughness is 2.5 and 2.8 times higher. As well, Young's modulus of the coating was 1.56 times higher than the WC-Co coating made by the laser cladding method.     

工艺参数对钛合金激光熔覆 CBN 涂层几何形貌的影响

目的获得制备形貌较佳的CBN激光熔覆层的工艺参数。方法以CBN粉末为熔覆材料,在TC11钛合金表面制备CBN熔覆层。设计正交试验,利用金相法检测熔覆层的几何形貌参数,研究工艺参数(激光功率、扫描速度、离焦量、预置层厚度)对涂层几何形貌的影响规律。结果随着激光功率、扫描速度、离焦量和预置层厚度的增大,熔覆层宽度、高度以及熔池深度都发生相应的改变。其中扫描速度对熔覆层形貌的影响最大,其次为激光功率和预置层厚度,离焦量的影响最小。随着激光功率增大,熔覆层宽度先增大后减小,熔覆层高度逐渐降低,熔池深度逐渐增大。扫描速度、离焦量和预置层厚度的增加都导致熔覆层宽高和熔池深度的减小。结论最优的工艺参数为:激光功率1400W,扫描速度4mm/s,离焦量35mm,预置层厚度0.4mm。