Laser cladding FeCrCoNiTiAl high entropy alloy coatings reinforced with self-generated TiC particles

Self-generated TiC particle reinforced FeCrCoNiTiAlBC high entropy alloy coating with a thickness of 1.5 mm was cladded on the surface of 45# steel by a semiconductor laser. Results show that fine grain TiC particles have been self-generated in the coating with the increase of the additions of C and B elements from 2 to 4 wt. %. The base crystal structure of the coating was found to change from a body-centered-cubic solid solution to a face-centered-cubic (FCC) solid solution with the increase in the addition of B and C. The TiC particles have irregular quadrilateral and flower morphologies, and the average hardness of the coating is 560 HV. The cracking tendency of the coating has been significantly reduced, which is attributed to the formation of the self-generated fine TiC particles and the FCC solid solution matrix.