Characterization and tribological evaluation of NiCrMoNb and NiCrBSiC laser cladding on near-α titanium alloy

In the present study, two different types of coatings such as NiCrMoNb and NiCrBSiC were produced on titanium alloy using a high power Yb:YAG disk laser. Then the coatings were analysed to expose their phase characterization, microstructure and hardness using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM) and Vickers microhardness machine (HV). Further, tribotest was performed through ball-on-plate machine to analyse the wear properties of coatings. In addition, worn surfaces of cladding and surface roughness were examined using FE-SEM and whitelight interferometer, respectively. The results showed that the both NiCrMoNb and NiCrBSiC cladding exhibited a dendrite homogeneous structure due to higher cooling rates. XRD results indicating that the solid solution of γ-Ni was mixed with chromium, boride, silicon and formed the structure of interdendritic eutectics on cladding region. Microhardness of the clad layer has remarkably been increased than substrate. The results of friction coefficient of specimen with NiCrBSiC are lower than that of specimens NiCrMoNb clad and substrate. Also, the wear resistance of NiCrBSiC clad has been increased than NiCrMoNb clad and substrate sample, which reveals that NiCrBSiC laser cladding plays a major role on wear resistance. The microstructures of NiCrMoNb and NiCrBSiC cladding layer are composed of Ni-rich austenitic, Cr, Mo, Nb and carbide, borides, respectively. The analysed wear track indicates that adhesion and abrasion was a major wear mechanism. The NiCrSiBC cladded worn-out surfaces exhibited reduction in surface roughness than NiCrMoNb clad and substrate. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].