TiC morphology and corrosion resistance of CrMnFeCoNi+x(TiC) coatings prepared by laser cladding

The corrosion resistance of CrMnFeCoNi coatings with varying TiC contents and the evolution of TiC within these coatings were comprehensively investigated. These CrMnFeCoNi coatings, with different TiC concentrations, were fabricated using laser cladding technology. The behavior of TiC evolution in CrMnFeCoNi coatings was observed to follow a distinct pattern. At a TiC loading of 2 wt%, TiC exhibited a dispersed distribution. Interestingly, in coatings loaded with 4 wt% TiC, TiC was observed in various shapes, including elongated, square, petaled, and circular forms owing to the melting of TiC particles under the influence of a high-energy laser beam. The convection action of the molten pool combined several unmelted, partially melted, and precipitated TiC particles, resulting in diverse shapes. Furthermore, increasing the TiC content to 10 wt% led to the aggregation and fusion of TiC into clusters. Additionally, the electrochemical corrosion resistance behavior of CrMnFeCoNi coatings with varying TiC content displayed a significant correlation with the TiC concentration. As the TiC content increased, the galvanic corrosion resistance also increased. At lower TiC content levels, a higher number of electrochemical cells formed between the CrMnFeCoNi matrix and the dispersed TiC, leading to an elevated corrosion rate. In contrast, as the TiC content increased, the dispersed TiC phase fused together, reducing the likelihood of electrochemical cell formation. Notably, the electrochemical corrosion resistance of the CrMnFeCoNi coating containing 10 wt% TiC resembled that of the TiC-free coating.