Study of laser cladding Fe–Co duplex coating on copper substrate

Abstract

Abstract Fe-Co duplex coating has been successfully deposited onto pure copper surface by Nd:YAG laser cladding. The morphology and microstructure were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties of the samples have been evaluated by microhardness measurement and wear properties. Experimental results showed that the coating was free of cracks and voids, and good metallurgical bonded to the substrates. The surface of the Fe–Co duplex coating was mainly composed of α-Co solid solution, CoCx, Fe0.64Ni0.36 and a number of carbides. The microhardness of the Co-based coating reached 438.6 HV0.2, which was about 5 times of Cu substrate (90.5 HV0.2). The wear test showed the average wear rate of Fe-Co duplex coating was 19.8% of that of copper matrix. The hardness and wear resistance of the Fe-Co duplex coating was significantly improved.