Effect of WC content on microstructure and properties of WC/316L laser coatings

Abstract

316L composite cladding coatings reinforced by WC particles were prepared on the 45 steel. The microstructure, microhardness, friction and wear properties and electrochemical corrosion properties of the composite coatings were studied. It is found that WC particles are partially melted due to thermal damage, and the main peripheral structure of WC is equiaxed crystal and cellular crystal, with a small amount of short columnar crystal. With the increase of WC particles content, the microhardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the composite coating first increase and then decrease. When WC content is 15%, the average microhardness of the coating is the highest (700HV) 1.94 times that of 316L coating (360HV), and the wear resistance is the best (minimum wear volume) 1.9 times that of 316L coating. In addition, the minimum corrosion current density is 4.066e–6, and the coating has the best corrosion resistance.