Annealing behavior of aluminum coating prepared by arc spraying on P355NL1 steel

Al coatings were prepared by twin wires arc spraying process on P355NL1 steel substrate, and the as-sprayed Al coatings were annealed at different temperatures. The effect of annealing temperature on phase composition, morphology and element diffusion was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that small pores and many droplets on the surface of the coating gradually disappear with increasing annealing temperature. Meanwhile, Cr can diffuse to the top surface of coating at 900°C. The thickness of the diffusion layer at the interface increases from 6 to 113μm when the annealing temperature increases from 600°C to 900°C. The coating annealed at 700°C is composed of a single phase of Fe2Al5. The coatings annealed at 800°C and 900°C become porous and loosen. Besides Fe2Al5, Al phase, Fe3Al phase, and Cr-Al-Si intermetallic compound form at the interface of substrate and coating at 700°C. For the coatings annealed at 800°C and 900°C, the compounds at the interface between coating and P355NL1 substrate become more complicated, and more ternary compounds form. The coatings have a relatively perfect structure when the annealing temperature is 700–800°C. •The effect of annealing temperature on as-sprayed Al coating is remarkable.•Pores and droplets gradually disappear with increasing annealing temperatures.•The interface compounds become more complicated annealed at 800°C and 900°C.•Cr can transfer toward the surface of Al coating at 900°C.