Microstructure and High-Temperature Tribological Properties of Laser-Cladded WC10Co4Cr–xTi2AlC Coatings

To enhance the tribological performance of ceramic coatings, the Ti 2 AlC phase was used as reinforcement to WC10Co4Cr coating by laser cladding. The microstructure and phases of obtained coatings were analyzed using a super-depth field microscope and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The effects of Ti 2 AlC mass fraction on the tribological properties of WC10Co4Cr- x Ti 2 AlC coatings at 500 °C were investigated using a high-temperature wear tester, and the wear mechanism was also discussed in detail. The results demonstrate that the hardness of WC10Co4Cr-0, − 5, − 10 and − 15 pct Ti 2 AlC coatings is 1156 ± 57, 1514 ± 75, 1423 ± 71, and 1354 ± 67 HV 0.5 , respectively, showing that the WC10Co4Cr–5 pct Ti 2 AlC coating have the highest hardness among the four kinds of coatings. The average coefficients of friction of WC10Co4Cr-0, − 5, − 10, and − 15 pct Ti 2 AlC coatings is 0.828, 0.419, 0.591, and 0.738, respectively, and the corresponding wear rates are 55.85, 22.71, 34.05, and 39.33 μ m 3 N −1 mm −1 , respectively. The wear mechanism of WC10Co4Cr– x Ti 2 AlC coatings is abrasive wear, fatigue wear, adhesive wear, and oxidative wear, in which the appropriate Ti 2 AlC mass fraction plays the role of wear resistance in the friction process.