Influence of the anomalous elastic modulus on the crack sensitivity and wear properties of laser cladding under the effects of a magnetic field and Cr addition

Abstract

Laser cladding layer with high hardness (H) and toughness have been the focus of surface science research because of their remarkable resistance to cracking and wear. This laser cladding experiment is performed in a magnetic field to fabricate alloy cladding layers. This paper presents the research on the magnetostrictive effects of laser cladding with regard to improvements in crack and wear resistance. The microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, lattice constant changes, and frictional wear properties are also investigated. The magnetostriction generated by the magnetic field reduces the elastic modulus (E). This work presents that cracking and wear resistance can be improved by reducing the elastic modulus while ensuring high hardness. The addition of different Cr contents reveals that the magnetostrictive effect relies on elemental content. Ratio of hardness and elastic modulus can characterize the wear and crack resistance of the coating well. In this study, we discussed the influence of the magnetostrictive effect on the wear resistance, which is related to H/E, and crack sensitivity, which is related to H3/E2, of the laser cladding layer. High H/E and H3/E2, that are obtained by the decrease in elastic modulus through the magnetostriction effect, is an effective method for increasing wear and crack resistance, respectively.