WEAR RESISTANCE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF THE CeO2-MODIFIED STELLITE6 BASE TUNGSTEN INERT GAS CLAD COMPOSITE COATINGS ON THE Ti–6Al–4V ALLOY

Abstract

To improve the wear resistance of the titanium alloy, the tungsten inert gas cladding was used in this study. The Stellite6-CeO2-MnSi-B4C composite coatings were fabricated on the Ti–6Al–4V (TC4) alloy by the preset-powder cladding process. The scanning electron microscope analysis of the composite coatings showed the effect of the different compositions on the microstructure. The crack propagations could be retarded to some extent due to an action of B4C. The high-resolution transmission electron microscope revealed the formation of the amorphous phases and the nanocrystals. The formation of amorphous phases could be induced by the lattice distortions. The results of sliding wear tests on the samples showed that the wear resistance of TC4 could be improved due to the synergy effects of the fine grain/ dispersion/ solid solution strengthening.