Influence of scanning speed on the microstructure, nanoindentation characteristics and tribological behavior of novel maraging steel coatings by laser cladding

Abstract

This paper utilized a novel high-Mo maraging steel powder to prepare maraging steel coatings through laser cladding. The study investigated how scanning speed affects the microstructure, phase formation, nanoindentation properties, and wear properties of the resulting laser-clad maraging steel coatings. The experimental results reveal that the maraging steel coating consists of martensite and austenite phases. Moreover, diffraction peaks of Fe2Mo phase were observed at low scanning speeds. As the scanning speed increases, there is a gradual reduction in the austenite content, accompanied by a decrease in the Fe2Mo phase content. Moreover, both martensite and austenite exhibit an increase in lattice distortion. EBSD analysis demonstrates a reduce in grain size as the scanning speed increases, accompanied by the emergence of LAGBs and an increase in dislocation density, as indicated by the rising KAM value. TEM analysis confirms the presence of a Mo-rich precipitated phase, characterized by a dense hexagonal structure consisting of the Fe2Mo intermetallic compound. The Fe2Mo phase displays high hardness, thereby significantly enhancing the second precipitation strengthening effect of the coating. The nanoindentation characteristics of the S2 coating are exceptional, displaying remarkable values for nanohardness, HU, H/E ratio, and H3/E2 ratio. Specifically, the S2 coating exhibits a nanohardness of 4.843 ± 0.104 GPa, accompanied by an HU value of 0.2073 GPa. Additionally, the H/E ratio and H3/E2 ratio are reported as 0.0214 and 0.002218, respectively. Demonstrates excellent mechanical properties of S2 coating. Furthermore, the S2 coating demonstrates outstanding performance in terms of wear resistance and deformation resistance, exhibiting the lowest friction coefficient and specific wear rate, measuring at 0.438 and 1.381 × 10−5 mm3/N•m, respectively. The observed wear mechanisms in the S2 coating include adhesive wear, abrasive wear and oxidative wear. Notably, lower scanning speeds promote the precipitation of Fe2Mo particles, which play a supportive role in the wear process by weakening the tendency of oxidative wear. Overall, the remarkable properties exhibited by the S2 coating, such as nanohardness, wear resistance, and deformation resistance, position it as a promising candidate for various technological applications.