The Wear Properties of TiC/Al-Based Composite Coating Applied by Laser Cladding

• Main Authors: Sansan Ao, Tai Wang, Yizhe Huang, Yu Dai, Yangchuan Cai, Zhen Luo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Metals
• Subjects: TiC ceramic particle; AZ31B magnesium alloy; γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇; β-Al₃Mg₂; wear resistance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/8/11/975

Aluminum powders with different concentrations of TiC ceramic particles were applied to an AZ31B magnesium alloy by laser cladding. Due to differences in coefficients of thermal expansion, the distribution of TiC ceramic particles in the cladding layer was not uniform. The results show that the degree of TiC ceramic particle agglomeration in the cladding layer increases with increasing TiC content. The phases of cladding metal mainly consisted of Al, γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇, β-Al₃Mg₂, and TiC. The γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇ phase mainly distributed to the bottom of the cladding layer, and the β-Al₃Mg₂ phase distributed to the middle and surface areas. The existence of the γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇ phase enhanced the hardness of the fusion zone. The microhardness of the cladding layer increased with increasing TiC ceramic particle content. An appropriate TiC content improved the wear resistance of the cladding layer. When the TiC content was excessive, the agglomeration behavior of TiC ceramic particles strongly affected the wear resistance of the coatings.