Microstructure and wear resistance of a laser clad reinforced Cr3Si metal silicide composite coating

A rapidly solidified wear resistant Cr3Si reinforced metal silicide composite coating was fabricated on a 0.20% C low carbon steel by laser cladding, using CrSiNi elemental powder blends. The microstructure of the coating was characterized by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The wear resistance of the coating was evaluated under dry sliding wear and pin-on-disc abrasive wear test conditions. The microstructure of the coating consists of rapidly solidified Cr3Si primary dendrites and interdendritic NiCrSi complex silicide solid solution. Due to the rapidly solidified microstructural characteristics and the presence of a large amount of hard Cr3Si phase, the laser clad Cr3Si metal silicide composite coating has excellent wear resistance under both dry sliding wear and pin-on-disc abrasive wear test conditions.