Effect of Ti3SiC2 addition on microstructure and tribological property of laser cladded NiCrAl–WC–Ti3SiC2 composite coatings at 500 °C

NiCrAl–WC–Ti3SiC2 composite coatings with the different Ti3SiC2 mass fractions were prepared on H13 steel by laser cladding (LC). The influence of Ti3SiC2 mass fraction on the tribological property of obtained composite coatings at 500 °C was investigated using a high temperature wear machine, and the roles of WC and Ti3SiC2 in the friction process were discussed in detail. The results show that the coefficients of friction (COFs) and wear rates of NiCrAl–WC–Ti3SiC2 composite coatings are increased with the Ti3SiC2 mass fraction, exhibiting the appropriate Ti3SiC2 mass fraction plays a certain role in the friction reduction and wear resistance, which are contributed to the coarsening of grains and the decrease of hardness. In addition, it is also found that the Ti3SiC2 is reacted with the WC to generate SiC, TiC, TiWC2 and other hard phases, and the amount of WC particles of coatings is decreased by the addition of Ti3SiC2, which is the main factor for the decline of tribological performance.