Effect of Ni Addition on the Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of WC – 10Co – 4Cr Laser Cladding Surfaces on Mild Steel

The effect of laser cladding process technological parameters, as well as of the addition of nickel (5 – 15 wt.%) on the structure and mechanical properties of WC – 10Co – 4Cr laser cladding on mild steel, has been studied. The most effective laser cladding process parameters were determined when applying single-pass clad tracks and tracks with 50% overlap. The microstructure and the phase composition of the coatings were determined using EDS and XRD. The microhardness of the coatings and their erosion wear resistance were measured. The maximum microhardness (3.6 times higher than that of the substrate material) was exhibited by the WC – 10Co – 4Cr coating (without Ni). The WC – 10Co – 4Cr – 5Ni coating (with 5% Ni) exhibited the highest erosion wear resistance as compared to the coatings with 10 and 15% Ni.