Manufacturing of Ti3SiC2 lubricated Co-based alloy coatings using laser cladding technology

Abstract Metal matrix composites (MMCs) self-lubricating coatings were fabricated on 35CrMo steel by laser cladding using Co-based alloy and Ti 3 SiC 2 mixture, aiming at improving the wear resistance of 35CrMo steel. Phase constituents, microstructure, microhardness and wear property of the MMCs coatings with different Ti 3 SiC 2 content were investigated using XRD, SEM, microhardness tester, and friction-wear tester, respectively. Experimental results showed that with appropriate laser processing parameters, crack and porosity-free coatings with good metallurgical bonding to the substrate could be obtained. The coatings were mainly composed of γ-Co, Ti 3 SiC 2 , Cr 7 C 3 and TiC. During the cladding process, Ti 3 SiC 2 partially dissolved to form TiC. The microhardness of the coatings was significantly enhanced, which was at least 2.3 times that of substrate. The wear resistance of the coatings was 3.6–6.2 times that of substrate and the coating with 10 wt% Ti 3 SiC 2 addition possessed the highest wear resistance.