Laser Cladding Fe-Al Intermetallics Coatings on ZL114A Aluminum Alloy

The mixed powders of 70%Fe and 30%Al were precoated, and Fe-Al intermetallics coatings were produced on an aluminum ZL114A alloy by means of laser cladding. The microstructure and hardness of the coatings are analyzed by using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microhardness testing machines. The results show that a fine surface quality can be obtained under a suitable process parameter of laser. The laser cladding layers are mainly consisted of phases of FeAl3, Fe3Al, FeAl with lump-like, granular, equiaxial and needle-like. The highest microhardness of the cladding layer achieved HV614 and raised 5~6 times in comparison to substrate.