Effect of TiC on the Microstructure and Properties of FeCoNiCrMo High-Entropy Alloy Coatings by Plasma Cladding

Abstract

FeCoNiCrMo-xTiC (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 wt.%) high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings were prepared on 45 steel by plasma cladding and the effect of TiC content on microstructure, wear and corrosion properties were investigated. Results showed that the HEA coatings present mainly BCC and FCC structures, containing a small amount of TiC. The wear resistance of the four cladding layers is improved. When the TiC content is 5 wt.%, the wear resistance of the cladding layer is the best, and the wear rate is 1.10 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/(N m). The wear rate of the cladding layer with the added reinforcement phase is lower than that of the cladding layer without the added reinforcement phase. The wear of the cladding layer is composed of multiple wear forms, mainly abrasive wear and oxidative wear, accompanied by adhesive wear. At the same time, the 5 wt.% TiC cladding layer has a low self-corrosion current density (1.029 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm²), a relatively positive corrosion potential (− 0.478 V), and excellent corrosion resistance.