Microstructure of NbMoTaTiNi Refractory High-Entropy Alloy Coating Fabricated by Ultrasonic Field-Assisted Laser Cladding Process

Abstract

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) contain alloying elements with a high melting point, promising high-temperature applications due to their unique properties. In this work, laser cladding is used to prepare RHEAS based on NbMoTaTiNi. At the same time as laser cladding, the ultrasonic field is used, and then the microstructural characteristics, grain size, residual stress, wear, and hardness of the coating are evaluated. The results show that the coating is biphasic and includes the γ (Ni) and NbMoTaTiNi phase. The NbMoTaTiNi phase had a uniform distribution throughout the coating when the ultrasonic field was applied, so that when the ultrasonic field was not used, the NbMoTaTiNi powder, in addition to spreading uniformly, had the un-melting of large particles. This caused an increase in the residual tension of the coating. The conversion of columnar grains to the equiaxed, and the reduction in structural defects, were other characteristics of using the ultrasonic field. The formation of equiaxed grains with zigzag grain boundaries reduced the friction coefficient, wear volume loss, and the wear rate of the coating applied with ultrasonic.