Study on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A100-Y2O3 Coatings on Low-Carbon Steel by Laser Cladding

Abstract

To enhance the microhardness and wear resistance of low-carbon steel, laser cladding was employed to create A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings that remained free of cracks. The phase composition, microstructure, and element distribution of these coatings were examined using XRD and SEM analyses, respectively. The microhardness and wear resistance of the A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings were tested by an HXS-1000 A type digital liquid crystal intelligent microhardness tester and an ML-10 friction and wear tester, respectively. The XRD results show that the addition of Y2O3 did not change the phase composition of the A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings. With the addition of Y2O3, the grains of the A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings are finer compared with those of the A100-0%Y2O3 cladding coating. The upper part of the A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings were composed of fine equiaxed grains. The average microhardness of the A100-0%Y2O3 cladding coatings was 532.489 HV. With the addition of Y2O3, the microhardness of the A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings was obviously improved, and the average microhardness of A100-1.5%Y2O3 coating reached 617.290 HV. The A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings were reduced, and the worn surface became relatively smooth owing to the addition of Y2O3. The addition of Y2O3 significantly improved the wear resistance of the A100-Y2O3 cladding coatings.