Influence of laser scanning power on microstructure and tribological behavior of NI-composite claddings fabricated on TC4 titanium alloy

Abstract

Purpose The demand for titanium alloys has received massive attention in the aerospace and automotive industry owing to their magnificent electrochemically compatibility and corrosion resistance, high strength at elevated temperatures and high strength-to-weight ratio. Although titanium alloy has impressive mechanical properties, they are challenging to machine or metal form due to its poor heat conductivity, high chemical reactivity, low modulus of elasticity, high friction coefficient and difficult lubricant that limits its application field and increases wear. However, surface treatment coating with the strong metallurgical bond between the titanium alloy matrixes is novel technique to resolve these challenges. This research will illustrate the influence of laser scanning power on the microstructure and tribological behavior of Nickel (NI)-composite claddings fabricated on TC4 titanium alloy to realize the strong metallurgical bond between the titanium alloy and NI-composite coating. Design/methodology/approach In this research, TiC/TC4 alloy nanocomposites were fabricated based on different laser power and temperatures. TC4 has been selected as a base material instead of TiC for the strong metallurgical bond between the titanium alloy matrixes. Then Ni-composite coating was used as the surface treatment coating on TC4 by laser cladding (LC) technique. The Ni-based alloy coating material powder is good self-fluxing, has high-temperature resistance and is analytically pure with 200 mesh, which can easily overcome the various challenges of titanium alloy. The chemical properties of Ni composite coating include 31.2% Chromium, 8%Titenium and 3.6% Carbon. The prepared surface treatment coating characterization and microstructure behavior are analyzed using optical micrograph, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopes, energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron probe micro analyzer methods. Findings It is evident that at the beginning of the experiment, if the laser power increased, the quality of the coating increased. An optimal quality of the coating is found when the laser scanning power about 12.55 kJ/cm2. Further increased laser power diminished the quality of the coating because the material plasticity had deteriorated. The TiC ceramic particle reinforced phase is dispersed into a two-phase solid solution of β-Ti and γ-Ni. The micro-hardness of the used coating is greater than the base alloy. Originality/value This research has practical value in the modern aerospace and automobile industry to increase the application of titanium alloy.