Development and characterization of nickel based tungsten carbide laser cladded coatings

Laser cladded coatings consisting of various types of tungsten carbides embedded in a NiCrBSiCFe matrix are characterized. At optimal process parameters crack-free coatings with a thickness of 0.85-1 mm, excellent bonding with the substrate, carbide concentrations up to 60 wt% and a hardness in the range of 40–55 HRC are obtained. During laser cladding the carbides have partly dissolved in the matrix as indicated by the presence of dispersed carbides in the matrix and by a carbide phase growing into the matrix along the edges of the particles. The wear coefficient during sliding contact decreases logarithmically with increasing carbide concentration.