Effects of processing parameters on structure of Ni-based WC composite coatings during laser induction hybrid rapid cladding

The relationships between the processing parameters (i.e. laser specific energy, powder density, preheated temperature of substrate and types of substrate) and the structure characteristics of Ni-based WC composite coatings during laser induction hybrid rapid cladding (LIHRC) were investigated systematically. The results show that laser specific energy, cladding height and contact angle have a linear relation with powder density, as can provide the predictions of laser processing parameters according to the geometrical characteristics of a single laser track (i.e. cladding height, cladding width). Moreover, dilution of composite coating increases with the increasing of laser specific energy and the preheated temperature of substrate, while reduces with the increasing of powder density. The types of substrate also have an important effect on dilution of composite coating, as has a strong dependence on the thermophysical properties of substrate (i.e. melting point, resistivity and permeability).     

Laser induction hybrid rapid cladding of WC particles reinforced NiCrBSi composite coatings

In order to investigate the microstructure characteristics and properties of Ni-based WC composite coatings containing a relatively large amount of WC particles by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding (LIHRC) and compare to the individual laser cladding without preheating, Ni60A + 35 wt.% WC composite coatings are deposited on A3 steel plates by LIHRC and the individual laser cladding without preheating. The composite coating produced by the individual laser cladding without preheating exhibits many cracks and pores, while the smooth composite coating without cracks and pores is obtained by LIHRC. Moreover, the cast WC particles take on the similar dissolution characteristics in Ni60A + 35 wt.% WC composite coatings by LIHRC and the individual laser cladding without preheating. Namely, the completely dissolved WC particles interact with Ni-based alloy solvent to precipitate the blocky and herringbone carbides, while the partially dissolved WC particles still preserve the primary lamellar eutectic structure. A few WC particles are split at the interface of WC and W₂C, and then interact with Ni-based alloy solvent to precipitate the lamellar carbides. Compared with the individual laser cladding without preheating, LIHRC has the relatively lower temperature gradient and the relatively higher laser scanning speed. Therefore, LIHRC can produce the crack-free composite coating with relatively higher microhardness and relatively more homogeneous distribution of WC particles and is successfully applied to strengthen the corrugated roller, showing that LIHRC process has a higher efficiency and good cladding quality.     

Microstructure evolution of Fe-based WC composite coating prepared by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding

Fe + 50 wt.% WC composite coating was prepared by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding (LIHRC) on steel substrate. The phase and microstructure of the composite coating were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). The results showed that WC particles were dissolved almost completely to precipitate the coarse herringbone M₆C eutectic carbides and the fine dendritic M₆C carbides, and that the partially dissolved WC particles with an alloyed reaction layer were occasionally observed in the whole coating. The phases of the composite coating were composed of supersaturated solid solution α-Fe, retained austenite, Fe₃C, W₂C, M₆C and M₇C₃. The microstructure evolution in the composite coating was represented by the transformation of three parts such as Fe-based metallic matrix, dispersed carbides and incompletely dissolved WC particles. The microhardness of Fe-based WC composite coating was three times much higher than that of the substrate, but was relatively lower than that of Ni-based WC composite coating by LIHRC.     

Microstructure and interface interaction in laser induction hybrid cladding of Ni-based coating

Based on the powder feeding laser induction hybrid cladding experiments by means of three different laser and induction energy, the microstructure of Ni-based coating and interface characteristics between the Ni-based coating and steel substrate were investigated. The results show that the hybrid cladding energy including laser and induction energy has an important influence on the formation of the interface and the microstructure of the Ni-based coating characterized by the dendrite. In addition, the laser and induction energy can complement each other. For high hybrid cladding energy, the single phase Fe-Ni-Cr solid solution is formed at the interface between the coating and substrate, while the microhardness of the Ni-based coating decreases. For low hybrid cladding energy, the solid solution phases of Fe-Ni-Cr and Ni-Fe-Cr are respectively obtained on both sides of the interface and microhardness of the Ni-based coating is relatively high. During laser induction hybrid cladding, the metallurgical bond characterized by the white light layer is achieved between the coating and substrate, and the extent of metallurgical reaction can be controlled by adjusting the laser energy and induction energy appropriately.     

Analytical modeling and experimental investigation of laser induction hybrid rapid cladding for Ni-based WC composite coatings

Laser induction hybrid rapid cladding (LIHRC) cannot only increase the cladding efficiency, but can also eliminate porosity and cracking of ceramic–metal composite coatings. In order to obtain a deep understanding of LIHRC with rapid cladding speed and high powder deposition rate, an analytical model of LIHRC for Ni-based WC composite coatings is proposed in the paper. The predictions of cladding height and powder efficiency obtained with this model are in good agreement with experimental results. Injection angles at which the attenuation rate of laser power is relatively low are identified and crack-free composite coatings with smooth surface, good profile and metallurgical bonding to substrate can be obtained. The calculated results for the temperature of the powder particles are compared to experimental data of the microhardness profiles and show a similar trend.     

Synthesis of Fe-based amorphous composite coatings with low purity materials by laser cladding

Amorphous composite coatings Fe₃₈Ni_30−XSi₁₆B₁₄V₂M_X (X = 0, 1, 2) (M contains Al, Ti, Mo, and C) were prepared with low purity of raw materials by laser cladding. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results show that the coating have an amorphous structure with a few crystalline phase on it. The amorphous phase is the primary phase. The glass forming ability as well as the microhardness of the Fe-based alloy made from low purity raw materials can be much enhanced by adding small amount of multi-components. However, the elements addition has its optimal quantity. When X is equal to 1, the microstructure of the coating contains 97.93% amorphous phase and 2.07% crystalline phase on it. As a result, the microhardness of the coating reaches maximum. With further increasing of the additions, the amorphous phase in the coating lessens instead of augment and the crystalline phase begins to accumulate, which result in the decrease of the microhardness.     

Research of rapid and direct thick coatings deposition by hybrid plasma-laser

In this paper, a new technology of direct and rapid thick coatings fabrication with hybrid plasma-laser deposition manufacturing (PLDM) technology is advanced which is also suitable for functional prototyping and tooling applications. It emphasizes on the influence of laser to the microstructure of coatings and physical properties of surface layers. Unlike the direct rapid plasma deposition manufacturing (PDM), in hybrid plasma-laser deposition manufacturing, the laser beam enters into plasma arc beam and focuses on the molten pool as assisting heat energy. A 280 W pulsed Nd:YAG (yttrium-aluminum garnet) laser machine is used to inspect the effect. The experimental results show that the laser beam could improve the surface state; the elements distribution of coatings deposited by PLDM was even; the physical properties of surface coatings fabricated with PLDM were better than that deposited by PDM.     

Wear properties of compact graphite cast iron with bionic units processed by deep laser cladding WC

By simulating the cuticles of some soil animals, the wear resistance of compact graphite cast iron (CGI) processed by laser remelting gets a conspicuous improvement. In order to get a further anti-wear enhancement of CGI, a new method of deep laser cladding was used to process bionic units. By preplacing grooves then filling with WC powders and laser cladding, the bionic units had a larger dimension in depth and higher microhardness. Fe powder with different proportions from 30% (wt.) to 60% (wt.) was added into WC before laser processing for a good incorporation with CGI substrate. The improved laser cladding units turned out to induce higher wear resistance in comparison with laser remelting ones. The depth of the layer reached up to 1 mm. The results of dry sliding wear tests indicated that the specimen processed by laser cladding has a remarkable improvement than the ones processed by laser remelting. It should be noted that the wear mass loss was essentially dependent on the increase in WC proportion.     

稀土CeO_2对镍基纳米Al_2O_3激光熔覆复合涂层组织和性能的影响

采用激光熔覆技术在45钢基体上制备了不同CeO2含量的镍基纳米Al2O3复合涂层,对熔覆层进行了微观组织分析和显微硬度测试。结果表明,随着CeO2含量的增加,熔覆层组织由亚共晶向共晶组织转变;加入1.0%CeO2对镍基纳米Al2O3熔覆层的组织起到明显的细化和净化作用,枝晶生长的方向性减弱,组织趋向均匀,熔覆涂层的显微硬度值比未加稀土的涂层提高了60-95HV0.2。     

Rebuilding of metal components with laser cladding forming

Laser cladding forming (LCF) is a novel powerful tool for the repairing of metal components. Rebuilding of V-grooves on medium carbon steel substrates has been carried out with laser cladding forming technique using stainless steel powder as the cladding material. Microstructure of the deposited layers has been characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDAX), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties of the rebuilt V-groove samples have been evaluated by tensile and impacting tests and microhardness measurement. Experimental results show that good fusion bonding between the rebuilt layers and the substrate has been formed, and the microstructure of the cladding layers is mainly composed of fine, dense and defect-free epitaxial columnar dendrites. Due to the effect of grain size refinement, the tensile strength, impacting toughness, elongation and microhardness of the rebuilt samples have been greatly enhanced compared to those of the substrate. Microhardness is also very uniform throughout the rebuilt regions. With the growth of the deposited layers, the microhardness increases gradually. The good ductility of the deposited regions is verified by the SEM fracture analysis.