Laser alloying of 319 aluminum-based alloy with VC-rich hardfacing alloys Available to Purchase

Vanadium carbides have superior properties to other carbides in terms of melting temperature, hardness, particle size and wet-ability to metals. Our previous work indicated that ferrous metals clad with VC-rich alloys have excellent resistance to abrasive and adhesive wear. However, few research work has been reported on VC strengthening of non-ferrous alloys. In this paper, surface of the 319 aluminum alloy was clad with VC-rich alloys under various laser process parameters. The specimens were made by both a single track and multiple parallel tracks for wear tests. Bonding condition, hardness and dilution were carefully examined and were compared among different alloying materials. Laser power and accumulated substrate temperature have significant effect on VC particle size, distribution, boundary profile and dilution. Wear resistance of VC alloyed 319 aluminum alloy is compared to those of conventional 319 aluminum alloy. The results are further analyzed with microscopy and x-ray and X-ray diffraction phase analysis.