Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Pure Ni Coatings on a Type 316H Stainless Steel Substrate via High-Velocity Oxy-fuel and Directed Energy Deposition Processes

This study compares pure Ni coatings deposited on type 316H stainless steel using high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and directed energy deposition (DED) processes. Microstructural analysis showed that DED produced more uniform claddings with fewer pores, while HVOF resulted in incomplete melting and cracks. Elemental diffusion of Cr and Fe from the substrate into the cladding was evident in DED samples, especially at higher laser power, but minimal in HVOF due to low heat input. Vickers hardness testing revealed that DED claddings had higher hardness near the interface, which was attributed to solid solution strengthening and reduced porosity. Although HVOF better suppressed diffusion, it exhibited inferior mechanical properties due to internal defects. Overall, the DED process demonstrated superior coating quality and mechanical performance, suggesting its suitability for corrosion-resistant applications requiring both structural integrity and thermal stability, such as molten salt reactors.