Microstructure and dry sliding wear resistance of laser clad TiC reinforced Ti–Ni–Si intermetallic composite coating

Wear resistant TiC reinforced Ti–Ni–Si intermetallic composite coating with a microstructure consisting of TiC uniformly distributed in Ti2Ni3Si–NiTi–Ti2Ni multi-phase intermetallic matrix was fabricated on a substrate of TA15 titanium alloy by the laser cladding process using TiC/Ti–Ni–Si alloy powders as the precursor materials. Microstructure of the coating was characterized by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Dry sliding wear resistance of the laser clad TiC reinforced Ti–Ni–Si intermetallic composite coating was evaluated at room temperature. Results indicated that the TiC/(Ti2Ni3Si–NiTi–Ti2Ni) intermetallic composite coating exhibited excellent abrasive and adhesive wear resistance.