Laser coating of a CrMoTaWZr complex concentrated alloy onto a H13 tool steel die head

Complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) represent a new class of alloy, which is typically multi-component with no base metal and exhibits a multi-phase microstructure. These alloys offer potentially improved properties over traditional alloys. In this study, after laser coating of a CrMoTaWZr CCA onto an H13 tool steel substrate was explored. H13 tool steel is a hot-worked tool steel commonly used in the hot forging process; however, it can fail due to wear, erosion, and thermal cycling. By coating the die head with a CCA, an increase in the life span of the die head is expected. Additionally, this coating offers a cheaper alternative to replacing die heads after they have been damaged or failed, as the coating will need to be replaced instead of the entire die head. CCA-coated H13 steel samples were examined using Vicker's hardness testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to comprehensively analyze the hardness, microstructure, elemental composition, and phases present, respectively. This research is an important step in understanding how CCAs can be practically used in the forging industry.