Microstructure and wear resistance of AlxCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy coatings by laser cladding
Abstract: AlxCoCrCuFeNi(x=0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5) high-entropy alloy coatings were prepared on the surface of 45 steel by laser cladding. The effects of the Al content on microstructure, phase structure, hardness and wear resistance was investigated. The effects of non-equilibrium solidification condition on high-entropy alloy coatings nucleation was analyzed emphatically. The experimental results indicated that AlxCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy coatings were composed of BCC and FCC phase and FCC was converted into BCC phase with Al element increased. Fe and Cr elements were riched in BCC phase. The microhardness of coatings were increased due to Al element increased, the maximum was 807.3HV0.2 when the alloy system was Al1.5CoCrCuFeNi. Wear resistance and hardness are positively correlated. The non-equilibrium fast cooling condition of laser cladding inhibited the nucleation growth of intermetallic compounds and it has beneficial to form the solid solution phases.