Laser cladding surface treatment for enhancement of mechanical properties

Abstract

Systematic laser cladding experiments were performed using a mixture of a Nickel base alloy powder mixed with tungsten carbide powder (percentage contents of tungsten carbide from 10% to 40%) on EN8 steel substrate with pre-placed powder method. Laser cladding of the Nickel base alloy powder + 50% tungsten carbide powder on EN9 steel substrate was performed with powder injection method as well. A Finite Element Method for calculating the surface temperature distribution was used to help prediction of temperature distribution laser cladding results. Composition of cladding materials was designed; a sticking agent was chosen for the pre-placed powder method. Clad coatings were obtained for different process parameters for laser cladding, and a detailed study of the affects of these parameters has been carried out. The characteristic microstructure and properties of the clad layers and interface were investigated by using an optical microscope, a micro hardness tester and a makeshift wear test. A comprehensive review is presented on the dilution of the coating and the typical problems experienced with the coating substrate interface. The results show that microstructure of clad layers comprise three zones: the cladding layer, bonding zone and heat-affected zone. The results showed that tungsten carbide particles increased the hardness and wear resistance as expected. Wear resistance of laser cladding coating is 3.5 times than that of substrate. The micro hardness range of the cladding layer is from RV 981.5 to RV 1187, which is 2-3 times than that of substrate. The micro hardness varies from cladding coating to transition layer then to heat affected zone and substrate along a gradient.