A study of Ni-based WC composite coatings by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding with elliptical spot

Ni-based WC composite coatings by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding (LIHRC) with elliptical spot were investigated. Results indicate that the efficiency using the elliptical spot of 6 mm × 4 mm (the major and minor axis of laser beam are 6 mm and 4 mm, respectively, the major axis is parallel to the direction of laser scanning) is higher than that using the elliptical spot of 4 mm × 6 mm (the major axis is perpendicular to the direction of laser scanning). The precipitated carbides with the blocky and bar-like shape indicate that WC particles suffer from the heat damage of “the disintegration pattern + the growth pattern”, whichever elliptical spot is used at low laser scanning speed. However, at high laser scanning speed, the blocky carbides are only formed if the elliptical spot of 6 mm × 4 mm is adopted, showing that WC particles present the heat damage of “the disintegration pattern”, whereas the fine carbides are precipitated when the elliptical spot of 4 mm × 6 mm is used, showing that WC particles take on the heat damage of “the radiation pattern”. Especially, the efficiency of LIHRC is increased much four times higher than that of the general laser cladding and crack-free ceramic-metal coatings can be obtained.