Microstructure Evolution and Properties of Laser Cladding CoCrFeNiTiAlx High-Entropy Alloy Coatings

High-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings of CoCrFeNiTiAlx (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) were prepared on the surface of AISI1045 steel by laser cladding. The effects of the Al content on the microstructure, composition, phase constitution, and wear and corrosion resistance of the coatings were investigated. The results showed that when increasing the Al element content from 0 to 0.5, the phase constitution of the CoCrFeNiTiAlx coating changed from a single Face-centered cubic (FCC) phase to Body-centered cubic 1 (BCC1) and Body-centered cubic 2 (BCC2) phases, with a small amount of Laves phase, which obviously improved the friction and corrosion resistance of the coating. With further enhancing of the Al content, the amount of BCC1 phase increased, while the BCC2 phase and the Laves phase decreased. The CoCrFeNiTiAl2 HEA coating transformed into a single BCC1 phase, with retrogressive wear and corrosion resistance. It was found that the Al-0.5 alloy coating exhibits excellent wear resistance, high hardness, and corrosion resistance in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. Furthermore, the effect of the Al content on the microstructure, phase, and the relating properties of the CoCrFeNiTiAlx HEA coatings is also discussed.