Wear resistance of laser clad TiC reinforced FeAl intermetallic matrix composite coatings

TiC reinforced FeAl intermetallic matrix composite coatings were fabricated on the substrate of 1Cr18Ni9Ti by laser cladding, the dry sliding wear resistance of the composite coating was evaluated under dry sliding wear conditions as functions of applied load and sliding speed. The wear mechanisms were discussed based on the worn surfaces and wear debris examinations. Results showed that the laser clad TiC/FeAl intermetallic matrix composite coatings have outerstanding wear resistance under the dry sliding wear test conditions. The wear rate of TiC/FeAl composite coatings increases with increasing applied load and sliding speed. SEM observation of worn surfaces and wear debris indicated that there is a transition of wear mechanism from abrasive wear to adhesive wear with increasing applied load. Furthermore, with the increase of volume fraction of TiC carbide in laser clad coating, the resistance to abrasive wear is improved, and the adhesion between test specimen and counter-face material is reduced, leading to an excellent abrasive and adhesive wear resistance.