Wear Resistance Augmentation of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy by Combined Laser Cladding/Remelting Using a CoCrCu Base Coating
G-Y. Liu, J-N. Li, S-B. Xu, W. Li, L-H. Li, B-B. Zhao, J-G. Lv, M. Wang And C-Y. Zhang
A coating of the CoCrCu base powder was prepared on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by laser cladding/remelting with a fibre laser. The effect of the different melt materials such as Tribaloy, Cu and Si3N4 on the microstructure and wear resistance of these laser clad coatings were investigated. The CoCrCu laser clad coating had a good metallurgical bond with a Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrate and consisted primarily of TiC, Cu4Ti3, (Co, Cr)2Ti. The microhardness and wear resistance of this laser clad coating was increased over the as-received Ti-6Al-4V alloy due to the Cu base and the other intermetallics leading to second phase/the fine grain strengthening. A fine microstructure was obtained due to the remelting effect.
Keywords: Fibre laser, Ti-6Al-4V alloy, TC4, Tribaloy, CoCrCu base powder, laser cladding, microstructure, microhardness, wear resistance