Microstructural Characterization, Mechanical Properties And Wear Resistance Of Ticp Reinforced Ni-Alloy Coatings By Laser Synthesis

Titanium carbide particle (TiCp)-reinforced Ni alloy composite coatings are synthesized by laser cladding using a cw 3 kW CO2 laser. Two kinds of coatings are possible in terms of the origin of TiCp: Undissolved TiCp and in-situ generated TiCp. The former originates from the TiCp pre-coated on the sample whereas the latter from in-situ chemical reaction between titanium and graphite in the molten pool during laser irradiation. For the coating reinforced by TiCp formed insitu, the sub-micron TiCp particles are formed and uniformly distributed because of the in-situ reaction and trapping effect during rapid solidification. Graded distribution of TiCp is obtained on a macro scale. The volume fraction increases from 1.86 % at the coating-substrate interface to 38.4 % at the coating surface. For the coating reinforced by undissolved TiCp, analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations show the existence of the epitaxial growth of TiC, the precipitation of CrB and M23C6, and the chemical reaction between Ti and B elements around phase interfaces of undissolved TiCp. In the matrix near the phase interface of undissolved TiCp, the loading curve obtained by nanoindenter exhibits pop-in phenomena due to the plastic deformation of cracks or debonding of TiCp from the matrix. For TiCp generated in-situ, no pop-in mark appears, indicating high fracture toughness. Coating with TiCp generated in-situ exhibits higher hardness and modulus than the coating with undissolved TiCp at regions near the phase interface. The coating reinforced by TiCp generated in-situ also displays higher impact wear resistance and abrasive wear resistance compared to the coatings with undissolved TiCp ana without TiCp respectively