Titanium base functional graded coating via 3D laser cladding

A titanium coating containing TiN or alumina ceramic additives are studied on a Ti–6Al–4V substrate after a direct laser metal deposition in different gas environments (nitrogen, argon). The manufactured graded layers are then comparatively estimated by scanning with the electron microscope equipped with the element analysis facilities. The possibilities to synthesize TiN by the method of a direct laser metal deposition in a nitrogen environment and to produce functional graded coatings with a high microhardness were shown. A significant increase in microhardness in the layers cladded out of the Ti–Al2O3 mixture compared to that of the titanium substrate was accompanied considerable amount of cracks.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Functional graded coating (FGC) is developed by Direct Metal Deposition (DMD). ► FGC are formed by alternating of argon and nitrogen gases during DMD of Ti powder. ► In nitrogen ambient, hardness increases due to formation of titanium nitride. ► Layer wised cladding of Ti-Al2O3 mixture increases microhardness up to 20 HRC.