A study of the microstructure and characteristics of CoCrFeNiSi x high-entropy alloy coatings for laser cladding

Abstract In this study, the laser cladding technique was used to generate CoCrFeNiSi x (x = 0.4, 1.0, 1.6 at.%) high entropy alloy coatings with varying Si contents on the surface of Q235 low carbon steel. It was investigated how the Si content affected the laser cladding CoCrFeNiSi x alloy’s microstructure, microhardness, friction, and wear characteristics. The findings demonstrate that a good metallurgical link between the cladding layer and the substrate is consistently maintained as the Si concentration increases, and that the cladding layer’s surface is free of macroscopic fissures and other flaws. The hardness of the CoCrFeNiSi x high entropy alloy cladding layer rises from 172.8 HV to 315.7 HV as the Si content rises from 0.4 to 1.6. The cladding layer performs well overall against oxidation and abrasive wear. CoCrFeNiSi possesses the best wear resistance. The workpiece has the best overall wear resistance and loses 0.6 mg of mass before and after the friction and wear trial. In order to offer theoretical support for the composition design and practical application of laser cladding high-entropy alloy coating, this work examined the impact of Si content on the microstructure and characteristics of CoCrFeNiSi x high-entropy alloy coating.