In-situ synthesis of metal matrix composite coating with laser melting-solidifying processes

In order to improve wear resistance of titanium alloy, with pre-placed B4C and NiCrBSi powders on Ti-6Al-4V substrate, a process of laser melting-solidifying metal matrix composite coating was studied. The coating was examined using XRD, SEM and EDS. A good metal matrix composite coating was obtained in a proper laser process. There is a metallurgical interface bonding between the coating and the substrate. During laser melting-solidifying process, high energy of laser melted the pre-placed powders and a part of Ti-6Al-4V substrate, which made Ti extend into a melting pool. A reaction between Ti and B4C took place in the melting pool, which in-situ synthesized TiB2 and TiC reinforcements in the coating. The composite coating mainly consists of γ-Ni matrix, TiB2, TiC and CrB reinforcements. Microstructure of the reinforcements obtained using the laser melting-solidifying is not as same as that of reinforcements obtained using general producing methods. Due to high cooling rate of the melting pool, TiC nucleated primarily and grew up in dendrite morphology from undercooled liquid. Encircling TiC, TiB2 precipitated later and grew up in hexagonal prism morphology. TiC and TiB2 formed an inlaid microstructure.