Microstructure and Selected Properties of Iron–Vanadium Coatings Obtained by the Laser Processing of a VC Pre-Coat Applied on Steel—Single and Multiple Laser Tracks Study

This paper presents the results of the microstructure, mechanical and physicochemical properties of coatings produced by the remelting of a VC pre-coat applied in the form of a paste on 145Cr6 steel. The remelting process was carried out using a diode laser beam. A laser device with a rated power of 3 kW was used. During these tests, a constant laser beam scanning speed of 3 m/min was used. The variable parameter was the laser beam power. Values of 500 W, 900 W and 1100 W were used. In the first stage of this study, single laser tracks were formed, and basic tests, such as on microstructure, microhardness and chemical composition, were performed. In the second stage of this study, multiple laser tracks were prepared using previously selected parameters. On such specimens, it was possible to test the same traits as for single tracks and, additionally, to perform corrosion and wear resistance tests. It was found that the obtained coatings have different properties than the base material. No primary vanadium carbides were found in the melted zone, but the proposed production method contributed to an increase in microhardness and wear resistance.