Elevated temperature dry sliding wear behavior of nickel-based composite coating on austenitic stainless steel deposited by a novel central hollow laser cladding

► A Ni-based composite coating was fabricated by a novel central hollow laser cladding. ► The fusion line is very flat and straight due to the relatively uniform energy distribution of the central hollow beam. ► The coating exhibits superior wear resistance than substrate either at ambient or high temperatures. ► The coating shows better wear resistance at 600 °C than 300 °C owing to polishing effect and lubricious oxides films.