Effect of scanning speeds on microstructure and wear behavior of laser-processed NiCr-Cr3C2-MoS2-CeO2 on 38CrMoAl steel

Self-lubricating wear-resistant NiCr-Cr3C2-MoS2-CeO2 layers were fabricated on 38CrMoAl extruder screws by laser processing. The effect of scanning speeds on microstructure, phases, microhardness, and wear behavior was investigated. The obtained results indicate that the laser-processed layers had fine and nonuniform microstructures with undissolved MoS2 particles distributed on the matrix. With an increase of the laser-scanning speeds, the microstructures changed from hypoeutectic to hypereutectic, volume fraction of martensite increased, microhardness increased, and thickness and friction coefficients of the layers decreased. Wear resistance of the optimized layer was increased by 29.76 times compared with that of the substrate. The undissolved MoS2 was separated from the matrix on loading. In addition to the grain-refining and solution-strengthening effects, oxide films formed on the surface of the layers shielded them and enhanced their wear resistance. The crack or fracture behavior of the laser-processed layers on loading was determined by its toughness, which also had an important effect on the wear behavior of the processed layers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.