Effect of Electrically Assisted Preheating on Microstructure and Properties of Laser-Cladded Co-Based Coating on CP-Ti Alloy Substrate

Co-based coatings were prepared on commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) with electrically assisted pre-heating (EAPH), followed by laser cladding with the assistance of pulsed current. Conventional pre-heating (CPH) laser cladding was carried out as a control to investigate the effects of a pulsed current on the phase composition, microstructure, microhardness, and wear resistance of the coatings. The results showed that periodically varied pulsed currents generate an induced magnetic field. This field fragments bottom dendrites and transforms columnar dendrites into equiaxed crystals through the influence of the Lorentz force. The phase composition of the coatings remained unchanged under the pulsed current, as well as unassisted and CPH condition, consisting of γ-Co, α-Ti, CoTi2 solid solution, and TiC, Cr7C3 hard phases. The microhardness of the coating increased at 720 A due to grain refinement, compared to unassisted and preheated coatings at the same temperature. Moreover, a suitable preheating temperature can reduce crack generation and improve the wear properties of the coating.