Study on Friction and Wear Properties of Zr–Cu–Ni–Al Crystalline Powder Cladding and Amorphous Composite Powder Cladding by Laser

In order to improve the friction and wear performance and surface hardness of AISI 1045 steel and expand its application range, this paper carried out the research on friction and wear performance and surface hardness of Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu17.5 crystalline powder (CP) and amorphous powder (AP) after laser cladding on AISI 1045 steel surface. The results show that both CP and amorphous powder (AP) formed a cladding layer on the surface of AISI 1045 steel under laser irradiation. The thickness of the cladding layer is about 400 μm, and the thickness of the AP cladding layer is slightly larger than that of the CP cladding layer. The results show that there are many holes in the AP cladding layer, and holes can be observed at the junction with the matrix; while the CP cladding layer is well combined with the matrix and no holes are observed. The friction performance of CP cladding layer is better than that of AP cladding layer. In the wear marks of the AP cladding layer, there are bonding areas, while the wear marks of the CP cladding layer have a furrow-like morphology, and part of the matrix is exposed. The surface microhardness and average microhardness of AP cladding layer are 49% and 94% higher than that of CP cladding layer, respectively. Hardness modification has obvious advantages. The reasons for porosity, large friction coefficient and low stability of the friction experiment of the AP cladding layer are analyzed and discussed. The ideas and methods for improving the laser irradiation to achieve both high wear resistance and high strength of the AP cladding layer are proposed.