A novel intermediate temperature self-lubricating CoCrCu1-xFeNix high entropy alloy fabricated by direct laser cladding

High entropy alloys (HEAs) have provided a unique opportunity to design novel structure-function integrated materials through modulating chemical composition and tailoring microstructural features. In this study, a novel self-lubricating CoCrCu1-xFeNix (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) HEA coating was in-situ prepared by laser cladding. The adequate amount of nearly pure copper segregated into the interdendritic regions could effectively smear the surface of the alloy and provide a Cu-rich protective oxide layer during dry sliding condition at an intermediate temperature of 400 °C. These findings serve as a proof of concept for the application of laser cladding as a high throughput process to rapidly fabricate self-lubricating HEA coatings through combining the intrinsic features of HEAs and additive manufacturing. [Display omitted] •A self-lubricating CoCrCu1-xFeNix HEA was designed by tailoring microstructural features.•A novel route for designing self-lubricating HEAs without the addition of solid-lubricating agents.•The mechanism of formation of Cu-rich protective oxide layer was outlined.•The wear resistance significantly increased upon the formation of oxide layer.