Microstructure and wear mechanism of laser cladding AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 coating
ZHOU Hao1, LI Zhuan1, ZHAO Yibo2,3, HU Chun1
1. State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; 2. Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China; 3. Hunan Agricultural Equipment Research Institute, Changsha 410125, China
Abstract:Soil-engaging components of agricultural machinery commonly suffer from wear failure and short service life under complex service conditions in sandy abrasive soil. Depositing a wear-resistant coating on their surfaces can effectively enhance the surface hardness and prolong the service life of the components. In this study, an AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 coating was fabricated on the surface of 30MnB5 steel via laser cladding technology. The effects of annealing treatment on the phase composition, microstructure, hardness and wear performance of the coating were systematically investigated. Combined with the laboratory wet sand rubber wheel wear test and annular soil trough-accelerated wear bench test, the wear mechanism and performance regulation mechanism of the coating were revealed. The results show that the as-deposited AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 coating possesses a dual-phase solid solution structure composed of FCC and BCC phases. After annealing treatment, Laves and σ phases precipitate in the coating, and the microstructure transforms from coarse petal-like morphology to uniform and fine worm-like structure. The average microhardness (HV0.5) of the annealed coating reaches 770.7, which is 10.3% higher than that of the as-deposited coating. The annealing treatment can significantly optimize the wear resistance of the coating. There are only slight ploughing marks on the worn surface, which effectively inhibit the micro-cutting and plastic deformation dominated by abrasive wear. At the same time, the coating can significantly reduce the wear failure of the rotary blade, and the wear degree of the coating is gradiently distributed along the cutting edge of the rotary blade. This study provides a systematic theoretical basis and technical reference for the design and engineering application of high-wear-resistant high-entropy alloy coatings for soil-engaging components of agricultural machinery.
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