Effect of titanium carbide addition on the microstructure and properties of nickel‐based alloy coatings

Nickel‐based alloy with titanium carbide coating was deposited on the surface of die steel by laser cladding technology. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction were used to characterize the phase composition, microstructure and morphology, and elemental distribution of the coatings. Microhardness tester, electrochemical workstation, and friction tester were used to test the hardness, corrosion resistance, and abrasion resistance. The results showed that after the addition of titanium carbide, the phase of the coatings is mainly composed of γ phase, chromium diboride, titanium carbide. The microstructure of the coatings is mainly composed of columnar grain, dendritic grain, equiaxed grain, and eutectic structures, and the internal microstructure produced lattice aberrations, and the precipitated titanium carbide are distributed in the vicinity of the grain boundaries in the form of particles. Due to solid solution strengthening and second phase strengthening, the average hardness of the coating is up to 467.02 HV 0.5, which is 1.82 times higher than that of die steel. The corrosion resistance as well as the abrasion resistance of the coating has also been improved.