Effect of WC mass fraction on the microstructure and friction properties of WC/Ni60 laser cladding layer of brake discs

Laser cladding Ni-based composite coating has significant advantages in improving the surface properties of QT500-7. WC/Ni60 composite powders with different WC mass fractions were cladded on the surface of QT500-7. The microstructure and tribological properties of the cladding layer were studied on the basis of optimizing process parameters. The study found that the surface morphology appeared bright white area, bright gray area, dark gray area, and black area. With the increase of WC mass fraction, the types of the cladding layer from bottom to top are gradually enriched, and the types of W-containing carbides produced are also increasing. Meanwhile, the hardness, corrosion resistance, and tribological properties are significantly improved.