Solidification-Induced Wear Behavior of Composite Coatings Fabricated via Laser Cladding

The Fe-based composite coating reinforced with WC has broad application in critical components of the steel metallurgy industry. However, the effect of WC content on the microstructure and, thus, comprehensive mechanical performance of these coatings remains insufficiently understood. In this study, laser cladding was used to fabricate Fe-based coatings with varying WC contents to systematically investigate their influence on solidification behavior, microstructural evolution, and wear performance. A novel evaluation method integrating mechanical properties and wear resistance was proposed to assess overall performance. The results reveal that increasing WC content leads to improved hardness and wear resistance, with reduced toughness. At 40 wt.% WC, the coating exhibited approximately 40% higher hardness and 27% better wear resistance compared to the 20 wt.% WC coating, achieving a better balance between strength and ductility. This study offers new insights for optimizing wear-resistant coatings in steel metallurgy industrial applications.