Laser cladding represents an advanced surface strengthening technology that has garnered significant attention in materials engineering due to its ability to enhance surface properties of metallic substrates. To further improve the formation quality, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance of WC-reinforced Ni-based composite coatings, which are widely used in harsh industrial environments, (Y1-xGdx)2O3/WC/Ni60A composite coatings are systematically fabricated and investigated using the laser cladding technique. The influence of varying x values in (Y1-xGdx)2O3 on the microstructure and properties of WC/Ni60A coatings are studied. Initially, 2wt.% of (Y1-xGdx)2O3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) is applied atop a 25wt.% WC/Ni60A coating. Specimens measuring 40 mm × 15 mm × 10 mm, cut from H13 steel, serve as the substrates. The cladding is prepared using the preset powder method with an FL020 fiber laser. The laser cladding parameters include a laser power of 1 300 W, a spot diameter of 2 mm, a scanning speed of 6 mm/s, and an overlap rate of 40% to achieve optimal coating quality. The phase composition, microstructure, and elemental distribution of the coatings are systematically characterized and analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Additionally, Vickers hardness testers (HV-1000), multi-functional friction and wear testers (UMT-3), morphology microscopes, and electrochemical workstations (CHI-760) are employed to evaluate the abrasion and corrosion resistance of the coatings. The composite coatings, containing binary rare earth oxides with different x values, aresuccessfully prepared via laser cladding. These coatings exhibit a dense microstructure and are metallurgically bonded to the substrate. XRD analysis reveals that the composite coating primarily consists of γ-Ni dendrites and γ-phase structure of (Fe, Ni) solid solution. Compounds such as Ni2Y and Gd2Fe17Si are detected following the addition of (Y1-xGdx)2O3. SEM and EDS results indicate a coating thickness of approximately 1.5 mm, with the cladding layer being free of defects such as pores and cracks, displaying uniform organization and no elemental segregation. Hardness test results demonstrate that the average microhardness of the composite coating increases with the x value, reaching a maximum of 465.61HV at x = 0.8, which is approximately 2.3 times that of the substrate. The maximum microhardness of the coating is 839.5HV, about 4.2 times that of the substrate. Friction and wear tests show that the composite coating achieves the lowest friction coefficient of about 0.45 at x = 0.8, with its wear rate also reaching a minimum of approximately 2.09×10-3 mm3/(N·m), representing a 58.78% improvement over coatings without binary rare earth oxides. Electrochemical test results indicate that the composite coating exhibits the best corrosion resistance at x = 0.2, with a self-corrosion potential of -0.387 2 V and a self-corrosion current density of 2.192×10-6 A/cm2. However, the corrosion resistance decreases with increasing x values. These findings collectively demonstrate that the addition of binary rare earth oxides can effectively improve both the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of WC/Ni60A coatings, with the specific effects being composition-dependent. The outstanding performance of these coatings, particularly at optimal rare earth oxide compositions, positions them as promising new surface protection materials for extreme marine environments where both mechanical wear and electrochemical corrosion present significant challenges to material durability.
Key words
laser cladding /
WC/Ni60A coating /
(Y1-xGdx)2O3 binary rare earth oxides /
microstructure /
wear and corrosion resistance
{{custom_sec.title}}
{{custom_sec.title}}
{{custom_sec.content}}
References
[1] 徐滨士, 李长久, 刘世参, 等. 表面工程与热喷涂技术及其发展[J]. 中国表面工程, 1998, 11(1): 3-9.
XU B S, LI C J, LIU S C, et al.Surface Engineering and Thermal Spraying Technology and Their Developments[J]. China Surface Engineerign, 1998, 11(1): 3-9.
[2] 马保山, 姜芙林, 杨发展, 等. 激光能量密度对Al2O3颗粒增强Ni60A激光熔覆涂层组织及性能的影响[J]. 表面技术, 2023, 52(5): 364-377.
MA B S, JIANG F L, YANG F Z, et al.Effect of Laser Energy Density on Microstructure and Properties of Al2O3 Particle Reinforced Ni60A Laser Cladding Coating[J]. Surface Technology, 2023, 52(5): 364-377.
[3] LI R Y, FENG A X, ZHAO J, et al.Study on Process Optimization of WC-Ni60A Cermet Composite Coating by Laser Cladding[J]. Materials Today Communications, 2023, 37: 107400.
[4] YANG C, JING C N, FU T L, et al.Effect of TiC Addition on the Microstructure and Properties of Laser Cladding Ni60A Coatings on H13 Steel Surface[J]. Materials Today Communications, 2024, 38: 107904.
[5] YANG J X, BAI B, KE H, et al.Effect of Metallurgical Behavior on Microstructure and Properties of FeCrMoMn Coatings Prepared by High-Speed Laser Cladding[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2021, 144: 107431.
[6] LIU D Y, YANG X F, ZHAO A T, et al.Preparation of Nickel-Based Composite Coatings by Laser Cladding Technology: A Review[J]. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2024, 134(7): 3107-3137.
[7] 李倩, 陈发强, 王茜, 等. 激光熔覆WC增强Ni基复合涂层的研究进展[J]. 表面技术, 2022, 51(2): 129-143.
LI Q, CHEN F Q, WANG Q, et al.Research Progress of Laser-Cladding WC Reinforced Ni-Based Composite Coating[J]. Surface Technology, 2022, 51(2): 129-143.
[8] ZHANG K M, ZOU J X, LI J, et al.Surface Modification of TC4 Ti Alloy by Laser Cladding with TiC+Ti Powders[J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2010, 20(11): 2192-2197.
[9] ZHU L D, XUE P S, LAN Q, et al.Recent Research and Development Status of Laser Cladding: A Review[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2021, 138: 106915.
[10] 吴韬. 激光熔覆CoCrFeNiMoNb/WC复合涂层及高温服役性能的研究[D]. 北京: 北京科技大学, 2025.
WU T.Study on Laser Cladding CoCrFeNiMoNb/WC Composite Coating and Its High Temperature Service Performance[D]. Beijing: University of Science and Technology Beijing, 2025.
[11] CAO Q Z, FAN L, CHEN H Y, et al.Wear Behavior of Laser Cladded WC-Reinforced Ni-Based Coatings under Low Temperature[J]. Tribology International, 2022, 176: 107939.
[12] LEI J B, SHI C, ZHOU S F, et al.Enhanced Corrosion and Wear Resistance Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Ni-Based Composite Coating by Laser Cladding[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2018, 334: 274-285.
[13] MO B, LI T, SHI F F, et al.Crack Initiation and Propagation within Nickel-Based High-Temperature Alloys during Laser-Based Directed Energy Deposition: A Review[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2024, 179: 111327.
[14] 杨德林, 张广顺, 王茜, 等. 稀土氧化物在激光熔覆镍基合金涂层中的作用与影响[J]. 应用激光, 2023, 43(3): 9-18.
YANG D L, ZHANG G S, WANG Q, et al.Effect and Influence of Rare Earth Oxides on Laser Cladding Nickel-Based Alloy Coatings[J]. Applied Laser, 2023, 43(3): 9-18.
[15] SU Z P, LI J B, SHI Y M, et al.Effect of Y2O3 Addition on the Organization and Tribological Properties of Ni60A/ Cr3C2 Composite Coatings Obtained by Laser-Cladding[J]. Ceramics International, 2024, 50(10): 17261-17273.
[16] 杨广峰, 翟巍, 张杭, 等. TC4激光熔覆Gd元素YSZ热障涂层微观特性研究[J]. 激光与红外, 2021, 51(1): 34-40.
YANG G F, ZHAI W, ZHANG H, et al.Experimental Study on Microscopic Characteristics of Laser Cladding Gd Element YSZ Thermal Barrier Coating on TC4 Alloy[J]. Laser & Infrared, 2021, 51(1): 34-40.
[17] LIANG F L, LI K Y, SHI W Q, et al.Effect of Y2O3 Content on Microstructure and Corrosion Properties of Laser Cladding Ni-Based/WC Composite Coated on 316L Substrate[J]. Coatings, 2023, 13(9): 1532.
[18] QI K, JIANG L.Effect of Y2O3 on the Microstructures and Properties of Magnetic Field-Assisted Laser-Clad Co-Based Alloys[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2024, 33(19): 10188-10200.
[19] ZHU Y H, LI C G, YE H P, et al.Effect of Nanoscale CeO2 Powder on Wear and Corrosion Resistance of Ni60A-WC Coatings[J]. Ceramics International, 2025, 51(8): 10913-10932.
[20] WANG C L, GAO Y, WANG R, et al.Microstructure of Laser-Clad Ni60 Cladding Layers Added with Different Amounts of Rare-Earth Oxides on 6063 Al Alloys[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2018, 740: 1099-1107.
[21] 夏俊佳, 尹宇, 周辰, 等. 石墨粉添加对WC增强Ni基复合涂层组织结构及性能的影响[J]. 表面技术, 2023, 52(7): 139-148.
XIA J J, YIN Y, ZHOU C, et al.Effects of Graphite Powder on Microstructure and Properties of WC Reinforced Ni-Based Composite Coatings[J]. Surface Technology, 2023, 52(7): 139-148.
[22] LI J G, LI X D, SUN X D, et al.Uniform Colloidal Spheres for (Y1-xGdx)2O3 (x = 0-1): Formation Mechanism, Compositional Impacts, and Physicochemical Properties of the Oxides[J]. Chemistry of Materials, 2008, 20(6): 2274-2281.
[23] LIU Y, LI Z Y, LI G H, et al.Friction and Wear Behavior of Ni-Based Alloy Coatings with Different Amount of WC-TiC Ceramic Particles[J]. Journal of Materials Science, 2023, 58(3): 1116-1126.
[24] 张好强, 曹幸飞, 王莉娜, 等. WC-Co硬质合金强化的研究进展[J]. 机械工程材料, 2024, 48(8): 1-8.
ZHANG H Q, CAO X F, WANG L N, et al.Research Progress on WC-Co Cemented Carbide Strengthening[J]. Materials for Mechanical Engineering, 2024, 48(8): 1-8.
[25] LIU Q B, ZHOU J L, ZHENG M, et al.Effect of Y2O3 Content on Microstructure of Gradient Bioceramic Composite Coating Produced by Wide-Band Laser Cladding[J]. Journal of Rare Earths, 2005, (4): 446-450.
[26] PAN F, ZHANG J, CHEN H L, et al.Effects of Rare Earth Metals on Steel Microstructures[J]. Materials, 2016, 9(6): 417.
[27] SINGH K, SHARMA S.Effect of Neodymium Oxide on Microstructure, Hardness and Abrasive Wear Behaviour of Microwave Clads[J]. Materials Research Express, 2019, 6(8): 086599.
[28] LI M X.Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Laser Clad Cobalt-Based Alloy/SiCp Composite Coating[J]. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2004, 11(4): 59-62.
[29] 龙大伟. 铝青铜表面激光熔覆层的腐蚀性与高温摩擦性能的研究[D]. 兰州: 兰州理工大学, 2010.
LONG D W.Study on Corrosion and High-Temperature Friction of Laser Cladding Layer on Aluminum Bronze Surface[D]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University of Technology, 2010.
[30] 王震. La2O3改善激光熔覆WC/Ni基金属陶瓷复合涂层性能的研究[D]. 北京: 北京工业大学, 2015.
WANG Z.Study on Improving the Properties of WC/Ni Based Cermet Composite Coating by Laser Cladding with La2O3[D]. Beijing: Beijing University of Technology, 2015.
[31] LI R X, PANG X M, LIU G, et al.Effect of Oxide Film on Corrosion Behavior of NiTi Coating Prepared by Extreme High-Speed Laser Cladding[J]. Journal of Materials Science, 2023, 58(30): 12414-12432.
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China (52375189)
PDF(2964 KB)
