Corrosion properties of in situ laser remelted NiCrBSi coatings comparison with hard chromium coatings

This study aims at evaluating the effect of an in situ laser remelting treatment of NiCrBSi coatings, deposited by plasma spraying. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to estimate the environmental impacts of coating processes. It was demonstrated with this LCA that the in situ remelting process was clean. Microstructural results were also evaluated. A good metallurgical bond was formed at the remelted coating interface. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed also that laser treatment induces a change of the microstructure from lamellar to columnar dendritic. The dependence between the microstructure of NiCrBSi coatings, which was modified by laser treatment, and corrosion resistance has been evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization curves. Results show that, the corrosion resistance was increased because of a finer structure and higher densities of the coatings, but corrosion mechanisms occurring in all cases were different. From the electrochemical experiments in NaCl solution it can be deduced that laser remelting of as-sprayed coatings does not affect their corrosion rate. Corrosion evolves due to a progressive penetration of the electrolyte through the disturbed structure of the as-sprayed samples, whereas the substrate surface of remelted coating is not reached, because of a higher density. But ClMO intermediate species were formed on the surface, because Cl− can destroy the protective film on the coating. The hybrid plasma/laser process was cleaner than hard chromium plating and its corrosion behavior is superior too.