LASER CLADDING OF WC-NI COMPOSITE

An experimental investigation is reported on laser cladding of WC - Ni composite to improve wear resistance. A mixture of WC particles and N i-based super-alloy powder was fed by a powder feeding system and clad onto a substrate of mild steel (AISI 1020) by a 3 kW CO2 laser. The s tructure of the clad layer consisted of hard WC particles, as a reinfo rced phase, and a tough Ni alloy matrix with a dilution of 3-5%. The r esults of wear test showed the superior wear resistance of the composi te coating produced by laser cladding.