Microstructure and wear behavior of γ/Al 4C 3/TiC/CaF 2 composite coating on γ-TiAl intermetallic alloy prepared by Nd:YAG laser cladding

Abstract

As a further step in obtaining high performance elevated temperature self-lubrication anti-wear composite coatings on TiAl alloy, a novel Ni–P electroless plating method was adopted to encapsulate the as-received CaF 2 in the preparation of precursor NiCr–Cr 3C 2–CaF 2 mixed powders with an aim to decrease its mass loss and increase its compatibility with the metal matrix during a Nd:YAG laser cladding. The microstructure of the coating was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and the friction and wear behavior of the composite coatings sliding against the hardened 0.45% C steel ring was evaluated using a block-on-ring wear tester at room temperature. It was found that the coating had a unique microstructure consisting of primary dendrites TiC and block Al 4C 3 carbides reinforcement as well as fine isolated spherical CaF 2 solid lubrication particles uniformly dispersed in the NiCrAlTi ( γ) matrix. The good friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities of the laser clad composite coating was suggested to the Ni–P electroless plating and the attendant reduction of mass loss of CaF 2 and the increasing of it's wettability with the NiCrAlTi ( γ) matrix during the laser cladding process.