Microstructure evolution, wear resistance and tribo-corrosion behavior of AlxNbTiV0.1W0.5Zr0.3 high-entropy alloy coatings on a zirconium alloy

Wear, corrosion and tribo-corrosion requirements for Zr alloys in extreme environments are increasingly demanding. The development of high-performance coating materials is an effective way to expand the application prospect of Zr alloys. Herein, we have successfully prepared AlxNbTiV0.1W0.5Zr0.3 HEA coatings on Zr alloy by laser cladding. The coatings are composed of two BCC and Zr-rich phases. The increase of Al content leads to the precipitation of B2 structure and TiAl phase. The coatings demonstrate superior long-term tribocorrosion resistance in H3BO3-LiOH solution, owing to their high-strength phases and remarkable ability to resist pitting corrosion. This work provides a theoretical basis for design of HEA coating system with high performance on Zr alloy in a dynamic corrosive environment.