High-temperature tribological properties of tungsten carbide reinforced high-entropy-alloy composite coating by laser cladding

To solve the serious wear problem of mold steels at a high temperature, a 15 wt% WCp (Tungsten Carbide particles) reinforced Fe₅₀Mn₃₀Cr₁₀Co₁₀ HEA (High Entropy Alloy) composite coating is fabricated by laser cladding to improve the high-temperature wear resistance based on high hardness and thermal stability of HEA. Tribological tests are carried out at different temperature, and the wear mechanism is explored. The experimental results reveal three main phases of γ-Fe, WC, and W₂C in the LCed (Laser Cladded) HEA composite coating. Small amounts of nanoscale WC and MnO are precipitated to enhance the mechanical properties. The variation rule pertaining to the volume wear rate is that the values rise first and fall later with increasing temperature. The maximum wear rate is observed above 5 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/N·m at 400 °C. Although the hardness may diminish with increasing temperature in theory, the relative wear resistance can be improved because the oxide could enhance the supportive capacity and isolating effects of the glaze layer between the friction pair. Fe₂O₃ can be considered a solid lubricant to reduce the wear rate. With increasing friction temperature, the wear mechanism changes from typical abrasive/fatigue wear to adhesive/delamination wear. Consequently, the 15 wt% WCp-reinforced HEA composite shows excellent wear resistance at 800 °C relative to H13 steel and the results provide the theoretical and experimental basis for liquid die forging. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.