Microstructure and wear resistance of laser clad Cu_SS/Cr₅Si₃ metal silicide composite coatings

Wear resistant Cu_SS/Cr₅Si₃ metal silicide composite coating was fabricated on a substrate of an austenitic stainless steel 1Cr18Ni9Ti by laser cladding process. Microstructure of the Cu_SS/Cr₅Si₃ metal silicide composite coating was characterized by OM, SEM, XRD and EDS. Microhardness was measured using a MH-6 semi-automatic Vickers micro-hardness tester. The volume fraction of Cu_SS has a remarkable influence on hardness and wear resistance of the coating. The hardness and the wear resistance of the coating increase with the decreasing volume fraction of Cu_SS. The laser clad Cu_SS/Cr₅Si₃ metal silicide composite coating exhibits excellent wear resistance under room-temperature dry sliding.