Study on the microstructure and wear resistance of the composite coatings fabricated on Ti–6Al–4V under different processing conditions

Composite coatings mainly containing titanium carbides and borides were produced by laser surface alloying of Ti–6Al–4V with graphite and boron mixed powders. The test results show that the coatings have higher hardness (1600–1700 HV0.1) and are more resistant to wear than the asreceived sample. Laser scanning speed and the content of alloying elements (weight ratio of graphite to boron) have an effect on both the microstructure and the wear resistance of the coatings. TEM results show that strip titanium carbides and borides grow alternately and thus restrain the formation of coarse needle-like TiB and dendritic TiC crystals produced by laser alloying of titanium alloys with boron and graphite separately.