Microstructure and wear resistance of composite layers on a ductile iron with multicarbide by laser surface alloying

Abstract

Multicarbide reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) layers on a ductile iron (QT600-3) were fabricated by laser surface alloying (LSA) using two types of laser: a 5 kW continuous wave (CW) CO 2 laser and a 400 W pulsed Nd:YAG laser, respectively. The research indicated that LSA of the ductile iron with multicarbide reinforced MMC layers demonstrates sound alloying layers free of cracks and porosities. The microstructure, phase structure and wear properties of MMC layers were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as dry sliding wear testing. The microstructure of the alloyed layer is composed of pre-eutectic austenite, ledeburite, spherical TiC, Cr 7C 3 and Cr 23C 6 with various morphologies. TiC particles are dispersed uniformly in the upper region of MMC layers. The average hardness of LSA layers by CO 2 laser and pulsed Nd:YAG laser is 859 HV 0.2 and 727 HV 0.2, respectively. The dry sliding wear testing shows the wear resistance of ductile iron is significantly improved after LSA with multicarbide.