Effect of WC-10Co on microstructure and properties of medium-entropy alloy coatings via electron beam cladding

In this study, non equiatomic FeCrNiCoMoW MEA composite coatings were successfully prepared by electron beam cladding Fe-based amorphous powders. The effects of WC-10Co amounts (0-30 wt%) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrochemical property of the MEA composite coatings were investigated. The added WC-10Co decomposed, and the original amorphous alloy was completely crystallised. The composite coatings primarily comprised the face-centred cubic (FCC) matrix, M23C6 (M = Cr, Mo, Fe, or W) and WC particles. The average hardness of the composite coatings gradually increased with increased WC-10Co amounts from 5.66 +/- 1.09 GPa to 8.02 +/- 2.54 GPa. The composite coating with 30 wt%WC-10Co showed optimal hardness and wear resistance, which were approximately 4 and 2 times that of the substrate, respectively. The wear mechanism changed from severe adhesive wear for 0 wt% WC-10Co composite coating to abrasive and slight adhesive wear for 10-30 wt% WC-10Co composite coatings. The 10 wt% WC-10Co coating exhibited the best corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The number of corrosion pits decreased with the addition of WC-10Co increased, and corrosion occurred in the Cr-depleted regions. Solid solution, dislocation, WC particles and M23C6 nanoprecipitates were responsible for the improvement in mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the coatings. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.