Effects of TiC on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of E690 steel prepared by laser cladding

Abstract For this study, E690 steel claddings with different contents of TiC were prepared by laser cladding for revealing effects of TiC on microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of the cladded steel. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the cladded alloys were observed and measured. The wear resistance of the cladded alloys was tested using a ball-on-disc tribometer. The experimental results showed that TiC refined the grain of the cladded alloy obviously. However, excessive TiC could lead to the network-like distribution of submicro TiC particles in the claddings. The microhardness of the cladded alloy with 1% TiC increased to 418.5 ± 10.7 HV500, and yield strength and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased by 11% and 7% compared with those of the cladded alloy without TiC. Excessive TiC decreased the tensile properties to an obvious degree. The addition of TiC improved the wear resistance of the cladded alloy significantly. When normal loads were 5 N and 10 N, the cladded alloy with 5% TiC exhibited high wear resistance, and the wear rates decreased by 59% and 78% compared with those of the cladded alloy without TiC. However, when normal load was 20 N, the cladded alloy with 1% TiC possessed superior wear resistance, and its wear rate decreased by 81% compared with that of the cladded alloy without TiC. The main wear mechanism of the cladded alloys was abrasion wear when normal load was low, but serious plastic deformation played a role in the wear process when normal load was high.