The Effect of Laser Beam Processing on the Properties of WC-Co Coatings Deposited on Steel

Abstract

The main objective of the present work is to determine the effects of laser processing on properties of WC-Co electro-spark deposited (ESD) coatings on steel substrates. Tungsten carbide coatings have been applied to steel substrates using a manual electrode feeder, model EIL-8A. The laser beam processing (LBP) of electro-spark coatings was performed using an Nd:YAG fiber laser. The microstructure and properties of laser treated/melted coatings were evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface geometric structure (SGS) and roughness measurements and adhesion, microhardness, residual stresses, corrosion resistance and application tests. The obtained experimental data were subjected to statistical analysis and multidimensional numerical and visual exploratory techniques. It has been shown conclusively that the laser-treated ESD WC-Co coatings are characterized by lower microhardness, higher resistance to corrosion, increased roughness and better adhesion to the substrate. LBP homogenizes the chemical composition, refines the microstructure and heals microcracks and pores of ESD coatings. The laser treated ESD WC-Co coatings can be used in frictional sliding nodes (e.g., on the front seal rings used in pumps) and as protective layers.

Concept of Laser Welding of Concentric Peripheral Lap Joint

“…The presented results may be useful for researchers concerning a laser welding or a laser treatment of a surface layer [22][23][24] and related industry activities [25][26][27][28][29].…”

The Influence of Oil Contamination on Flow Control Valve Operation

“…The obtained results may be useful both for researchers using similar modeling methods [11][12][13][14] and industries with machines and devices equipped with valve hydraulics, such as biotechnological engineering [15], wastewater treatment [16,17], and internal combustion engine accessories [18]. It should also be a guideline for the use of special coatings [19,20], including modified ones [21,22] in similar situations, to avoid disfunction. The schema of analysis itself can be inspiring both for similar modeling techniques [23][24][25] and for production management systems [26] and quality management systems [27][28][29][30].…”

The use of Computer Simulation Techniques in Production Management

“…Process simulation requires prior construction of appropriate predictive models [11,12], especially in the case of heavy industries [13][14][15], a high risk of contamination [16][17][18][19][20] or a risk of injuries [21][22][23][24]. The construction of predictive models requires the application of many data analysis methods to previously collected data, both parametric [25][26][27] and non-parametric [28][29][30][31]. The developed predictive models are components [32] that should be built into the quality management system [33,34], taking into account various scenarios of events, including failures [35][36][37][38].…”