Effects of interfacial trapezoidal grooves on the mechanical properties of coatings by laser cladding

Inspired by the micro-wavy interface of high-strength and high-toughness biological tissues, this study conducted laser cladding on 1045 steel substrates with isosceles trapezoidal grooved-textures by using Fe-based powder. The results showed that the cladding layer exhibited a satisfactory metallurgical bond with the substrate. When the loading direction was parallel to the grooves, the maximum impact energy was 23 J at a groove depth of 0.9 mm; when the loading direction was perpendicular to the grooves, the maximum impact energy reached 26 J at a groove depth of 0.6 mm. The ultimate tensile strength also increased because of the presence of groove texture. The coordinate deformation ability of the substrate-clad layer structure, interface stress concentration, and microscopic defects competed, resulting in the complex tendencies of the toughness and strength of the specimen with an increase in groove depth. When the groove depth was 0.6 mm, the actual depth of the texture groove was equivalent to the preset effective thickness of the upper cladding layer. Within the parameter range of this study, the optimal comprehensive performance of the specimen with groove depth of 0.6 mm was realized. • The hard yet tough thick coatings based on interface texture are obtained. • The properties of the coatings varied with the depth of the groove are evaluated. • The deformation coordination ability of samples is analyzed by numerical simulation. • Mechanism on how grooved-texture affects properties of coatings is discussed.