Study of the wear resistance of an Fe60/WC composite coating by ultrasonic assisted laser cladding

In response to friction and wear failure of the middle groove of a scraper conveyor, ultrasonic-assisted laser cladding technology was employed to prepare an Fe60/WC composite coating on the surface of 16Mn steel. The microstructure, hardness, friction and wear morphology, and other coating properties were tested and analysed using a microhardness tester, scanning electron microscope, ultradepth digital microscope, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and friction and wear tester. This study examined the impact of ultrasonic-assisted laser cladding technology on the wear resistance of composite coatings. The results indicate that the fused coating has excellent formability; a certain thickness and dense bonding zone are formed at the interface between the coating and the central groove; the dilution rate of the overlay coating is approximately 14.8%; the microhardness of the wear-resistant coating is significantly increased; the average friction coefficient and wear rate of the overlay coating are considerably reduced; the wear mechanism of the wear-resistant coatings is abrasive wear; and the overlay coating possesses high wear resistance. This research also offers a theoretical foundation for the development of wear-resistant materials and the enhancement of surface-hardening technology.