Microstructure and properties of Cu-Ti-Ni composite coatings on gray cast iron fabricated by laser cladding

To improve the wear resistance of gray cast iron and the quality of the laser cladding coating, a composite coating was designed and produced using Cu-Ti-Ni blending powder on the surface of gray cast iron by fiber laser cladding system. The phase constituents and microstructure of the composite coating were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Microhardness and wear resistance of the coatings were evaluated. The experimental results indicated that TiC reinforced composite coating was produced and the matrix of the laser cladding zone composed of alloy gamma-Fe, acicular martensite, and alpha-Cu. Microscale TiC particles were synthesized in the laser melted pool using the graphite phase of the substrate and the titanium atom of the blending powder. The surface properties of gray cast iron was improved by TiC reinforced composite coating. The microhardness of the laser cladding zone was approximately 2 to 3 times that of the substrate and the wear resistance of the coating was significantly improved. The wear mechanism of the coating was adhesive wear and abrasive wear because the matrix was soft alloy gamma-Fe and alpha-Cu. The coating could significantly improve the performance of grey cast iron under severe service conditions.