Effect of Preheating Temperature on Geometry and Mechanical Properties of Laser Cladding-Based Stellite 6/WC Coating

Abstract

The effect of 60Si2Mn substrate preheating on the forming quality and mechanical properties of cobalt-based tungsten carbide composite coating was investigated. Substrate preheating was divided into four classes (room temperature, 150 °C, 250 °C, and 350 °C). The morphology, microstructure, and distribution of elements of the coating were analyzed using a two-color laser handheld 3D scanner, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), respectively. The hardness and wear properties of the cladding layer were characterized through a microhardness tester and a friction wear experiment. The research results show that the substrate preheating temperature is directly proportional to the height of the composite coating. The solidification characteristics of the Stellite 6/WC cladding layer structure are not obviously changed at substrate preheating temperatures of room temperature, 150 °C, and 250 °C. The solidified structure is even more complex at a substrate preheating temperature of 350 °C. At this moment, the microstructure of the cladding layer is mainly various blocky, petaloid, and flower-like precipitates. The hardness and wear properties of the cladding layer are optimal at a substrate preheating temperature of 350 °C in terms of mechanical properties.

Effect of Substrate Preheating Temperature on the Microstructure and Properties of Laser Cladding Fe/TiC Composite Coating

“…Notably, when the substrate preheating temperatures were set at 200 • C and 300 • C, the abraded Fe/TiC composite coating displayed relatively smooth surfaces with only minor grooves and isolated pits, suggestive of light wear primarily attributable to slight abrasive action. Consequently, the judicious preheating of the substrate contributes to the enhanced wear resistance of the composite coating, primarily ascribed to the self-lubricating effect of preheating [25].…”

“…Conversely, preheating the substrate to 1050 • C yielded a crack-free cladding layer. Wu [25] employed a substrate preheating-assisted laser cladding technique to deposit Stellite 6/WC coating onto the surface of 60Si2Mn steel. The investigation revealed that the introduction of substrate preheating at 350 • C resulted in the formation of diverse structures within the laser cladding layer, characterized by lumps, petals, and flower-like precipitates.…”

A Sustainable Development Perspective and Evaluating the Impact of Laser Cladding Parameters on Mild Steel

“…Laser cladding process parameters, including laser power, scanning speed, spot size, powder feed rate and standoff distance directly influence the properties of the cladding. These parameters control factors such as heat input, solidification rate, dilution, and microstructure formation, which ultimately impact the properties of the cladding layer [20,21]. Melting of the coating materials is done using a laser beam in laser cladding method.…”

Effect of Process Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Laser Cladding Ni60+30%WC Coating on Q235 Steel

“…Laser cladding technology is characterized by quick heating and cooling, small thermal deformation of substrate material, low dilution rate, a good metallurgical bond formed between cladding and substrate materials, etc. It also has advantages such as short processing time, flexible operation, and high accuracy [2,3], so it was used to prepare the high performance coating on the surface of Q235. At present, the commonly used coating powders for laser cladding include cobalt-based alloys [4], iron-based alloys [5], and nickel-based alloys [6].…”