Plasma Cladding Current Optimization of FeCoCrMn HEA Coating and the Effect of Shot Peening

FeCoCrMn high-entropy alloy coatings were prepared on a Q235 steel substrate by using the plasma cladding method, and the plasma cladding current was optimized. The layers were uniform without burning loss and presented a single body-centred cubic structure. After that, the coatings were ultrasonically impacted by shot peening to improve their mechanical properties. At the hardening area produced by the shot peening, the hardness value increased from 400 to 460 HV. The tensile strength increased from 205 to 430 MPa. The engineering strain decreased by 2%. The wear test results showed that the friction coefficient decreased from 0.53 to 0.38 after shot peening. The wear mechanism before shot peening showed a combination of abrasive and adhesive wear. After shot peening, the abrasive wear gradually disappeared, and the primary wear mechanism changed to adhesive wear.