Cladding of Inconel 625+WC composite coatings using a direct diode laser

In the present study, a high power direct diode laser (HPDDL) was used to deposit composite coatings consisted of Ni-based superalloy Inconel 625 matrix and of WC reinforcement particles with a volume fraction of 60%. The influence of parameters, such as laser power beam (heat input) and WC particles size in the cladding powder on the coatings microstructure and erosion wear properties was investigated. The coatings were examined by optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that direct diode laser cladding provides non-porous coatings with homogeneous distribution of WC particles and very low degree of WC dissolution during cladding process. Erosion resistance of the composite coatings decreases with the size of WC particles decreasing.