Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Investigation of the CoCrFeNiNbx High Entropy Alloy Coatings

In this work, the CoCrFeNiNbx (x: molar ratio, x = 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0) high entropy alloy coatings were synthesized on a 304 stainless steel substrate by laser cladding to investigate the effect of Nb element on their microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance. The results indicated that in all of the CoCrFeNiNbx alloy coatings, two phases were found: One was a face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution phase, the other was a Co1.92Nb1.08-type Laves phase. The microstructures of samples varied from hypoeutectic structure (x = 0.45 and 0.5) to hypereutectic structure (x = 0.75 and 1.0). The Vickers hardness of CoCrFeNiNbx alloy coatings was obviously improved compared with the substrate. The hardness value of the CoCrFeNiNb1.0 alloy coating reached to 590 HV, which was 2.8 times higher than that of the substrate. There was also a corresponding variation in wear properties with hardness evolutions. Wherein the hypereutectic CoCrFeNiNb1.0 alloy coating with the highest hardness exhibited the best wear resistance under the same wear condition, the dry wear test showed the wear mass loss of CoCrFeNiNb1.0 alloy coating was less than a third of the substrate. The high hardness and wear resistance properties were considered with the fine lamellar eutectic structure and proper combination of FCC and Laves phases.