Microstructural evolution in high power laser cladding of Stellite 6+WC layers

The microstructural evolution in high power CO, laser cladding of steel with Stellite 6 + WC powder mixture was investigated, among which the WC vol.% was, respectively, 0, 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 72 and 100% by dual powder feeding Stellite 6 and WC powders with different feeding rates. Two significantly different solidification characteristics were found in the microstructural evolution in laser clads of Stellite 6 + WC. The first one was characterized by the dendrites and interdendritic eutectics from 0 to 36% WC, in which the added WC was completely melted into the melt pool and the re-solidified structure contained alpha-Co,sigma-CoCr and various carbides such as M7C3. The second one was characterized by various faceted dendrites in block, flower, butterfly, star shapes and the matrix from 45 to 100% WC, in which most of the WC was melted, the microstructure contained re-solidified WC, Co and various Co-W-C/Fe-W-C complex carbides. Maximum 26 and 64 wt.% W were, respectively, dissolved into the matrix and the faceted dendrites. When laser cladding WC powder with severe dilution from the substrate, a microstructure with different composition appeared within the faceted dendrites with interior approximately 90 wt.% of W and exterior approximately 70 wt.% of W. Such a structure was probably the frozen result of the peritectic reaction during laser cladding rapid solidification. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.