The Influence of Different Focusing Currents on the Microstructure Evolution and Wear Properties of a Scanning Electron Beam Modified Inconel 625 Nickel Base Alloy Surface

The surface of Inconel 625, a nickel-base alloy, was strengthened by vacuum electron beam scanning technology. The evolution of its microstructure was analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and the friction and wear tester (RETC). The results show that the FCC phase in the microstructure of Inconel 625 nickel-base alloy is stripped and islanded after electron beam scanning treatment. The austenite texture type changes and finally forms a typical cubic texture with a certain strength of S texture. With the increase in temperature of the focusing current, the wear resistance of nickel-base alloy plates first increases and then decreases. Under a 720 mA focusing current, the wear volume and wear rate are the lowest, which are 0.141525 mm3 and 1.41525 × 10−5 mm3/N∙m, respectively. The wear rate decreases by 26.64%, which may be related to the columnar crystals produced in the melting area. After electron beam surface modification, the oxidation wear and adhesive wear are relatively smaller than the original materials