The Impact of Laser Beam Power on the Microstructure and Some Mechanical Properties of Laser-Alloyed Inconel(®)600 with WC Particles

Laser surface alloying with WC particles was used in order to improve the wear resistance of Inconel(®)600-alloy. The applied processing parameters ensured appropriate conditions for the production of composite layers enriched with WC particles that did not melt during the process. As a consequence, the produced layers contained globular shaped WC particles that were well bonded in the matrix. The WC particles were characterized by high hardness H(IT) = 31.25 GPa and a high Young’s modulus E(IT) = 609.33 GPa determined by nanoindentation. The most important parameter influencing the thickness of the layer, the percentage of WC particles in the layer and the wear resistance of the produced layers was the power of the laser beam. Three values of laser beam power were used: 1.3 kW, 1.56 kW, and 1.82 kW. An increase in the laser beam power resulted in an increased thickness of the layer from 435 µm to 685 µm. Simultaneously, when the power of the laser beam was higher, the depth of re-melting of the substrate material increased. This was the reason for a decrease in the percentage of WC particles in the composite layer. The layer produced by laser beam power of 1.3 kW contained 20.59% of WC particles, whereas the highest power of the laser beam (1.82 kW) ensured a percentage of WC particles of about 9.46%. As a result, the increase in the laser beam power was the reason for the reduction in the wear resistance of the composite layer. The lowest mass wear intensity factor (I(mw) = 6.4 mg·cm(−2)·h(−1)) characterized the layer produced at laser beam power of 1.3 kW, and the highest I(mw) (18.5 mg·cm(−2)·h(−1)) was obtained for the layer produced with a laser beam power of 1.82 kW. However, all the produced composite layers contained WC particles, which ensured improved wear resistance when compared to the Inconel(®)600-alloy without the layer (I(mw) = 60.9 mg·cm(−2)·h(−1)).