Influence of Powder Mass Flow Rates on Wear Resistance and Impact Toughness of Inconel 718 Surface Coatings

Abstract

Optimum laser cladding processing parameters were obtained based on the study of various powder mass flow rates for the repair of 27SiMn steel parts using Inconel 718 powder. In this study, fusion coating process parameters were set according to the influence of powder mass flow rates on fusion coating properties. The cross-sectional microstructure, X-ray diffraction patterns, micro-hardness distribution, friction, wear properties, impact properties, and fracture morphology of the clad layers were investigated for the various process parameters. The results indicate that the volume fraction for the Ni3Fe phase increases and then decreases as the powder mass flow rate increases. The micro-hardness, friction properties, and impact properties of the samples followed the same trend as those of Ni3Fe. At powder mass flow rates up to 20 g/min, microstructures in the cladding layer tended to be uniform with microstructures with fine grains, and micro-hardness and impact toughness reached maximum values of 328.2 HV0.5 and 45.4 J/cm2, respectively, which show better mechanical properties and wear resistance.