Superior corrosion resistance-dependent laser energy density in (CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ high entropy alloy coating fabricated by laser cladding

Abstract

(CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ high entropy alloy (HEA) coatings were successfully fabricated on a substrate of Q235 steel by laser cladding technology. These (CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ HEA coatings possess excellent properties, particularly corrosion resistance, which is clearly superior to that of some typical bulk HEA and common engineering alloys. In order to obtain appropriate laser cladding preparation process parameters, the effects of laser energy density on the microstructure, microhardness, and corrosion resistance of (CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ HEA coating were closely studied. Results showed that as the laser energy density increases, precipitation of the Laves phase in (CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ HEA coating gradually decreases, and diffusion of the Fe element in the substrate intensifies, affecting the integrity of the (CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ HEA. This decreases the microhardness of (CoCrFeNi)₉₅Nb₅ HEA coatings. Moreover, the relative content of Cr₂O₃, Cr(OH)₃, and Nb₂O₅ in the surface passive film of the coating decreases with increasing energy density, causing corrosion resistance to decrease. This study demonstrates the controllability of a high-performance HEA coating using laser cladding technology, which has significance for the laser cladding preparation of other CoCrFeNi-system HEA coatings.

Keywords

high entropy alloy coating / laser cladding technology / laser energy density / corrosion resistance

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