Effect of heat treatment on the FeCoCrNiMnAl high-entropy alloy cladding layer

FeCoCrNiMnAl high-entropy alloy cladding was fabricated on the surface of 4Cr5MoSiV1 substrate by laser cladding technology. The microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of the cladding layer were systematically investigated using electron back scattered diffraction, transmission electron microscope, microhardness and wear tests. The was no obvious change in the grain size, type and proportion of phases (dual-phases of face centred cubic and body centred cubic ) in the FeCoCrNiMnAl coating after heat treatment at 600°C for 100 h. The recrystallization induced by the heat treatment decreased the density of dislocations. Finally, the microhardness and wear resistance of the FeCoCrNiMnAl cladding layer decreased by 9.2% and 11.7%, respectively, after the heat treatment. Nevertheless, it still fulfils the application requirements.