Microstructure and properties of Fe-based composite coating by laser cladding Fe–Ti–V–Cr–C–CeO2 powder

• Fe–Ti–V–Cr–C–CeO2 cladding layer without defects such as cracks and pores.
• The phases of the cladding layer were α-Fe, γ-Fe, TiC, VC and TiVC2.
• Microstructures of the cladding layer were lath martensite and retained austenite.
• The carbide was a complex composed of nano TiC, VC and TiVC2.
• The cladding layer possessed good wear and corrosion resistance.

In situ TiC–VC reinforced Fe-based cladding layer was obtained on low carbon steel surface by laser cladding with Fe–Ti–V–Cr–C–CeO2 alloy powder. The microstructure, phases and properties of the cladding layer were investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), potentio-dynamic polarization and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results showed Fe–Ti–V–Cr–C–CeO2 alloy powder formed a good cladding layer without defects such as cracks and pores. The phases of the cladding layer were α-Fe, γ-Fe, TiC, VC and TiVC2. The microstructures of the cladding layer matrix were lath martensite and retained austenite. The carbides were polygonal blocks with a size of 0.5–2 μm and distributed uniformly in the cladding layer. High resolution transmission electron microscopy showed the carbide was a complex matter composed of nano TiC, VC and TiVC2. The cladding layer with a hardness of 1030 HV0.2 possessed good wear and corrosion resistance, which was about 16.85 and 9.06 times than that of the substrate respectively.