A comparative investigation on microstructure evolution and mechanical property of WC particle reinforced CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 medium entropy alloy by direct energy deposition

WC spherical particles of x wt% (x =0,10,20,30) were added into CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 medium entropy alloy (MEA) prepared by the laser direct energy deposition. The effects of WC content on the microstructure, the mechanical properties and the friction and wear properties of CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 / WC composites were systematically discussed. Results indicate that most of the WC particles are not completely dissolved and evenly dispersed in the CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 /WC composite matrix, while the dissolved W and C elements diffuse into the matrix and form a eutectic structure containing carbides. With the increase of WC content, the hardness of CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 /WC increase correspondingly. At the same time, compared with CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 , CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 /WC has better wear resistance and higher yield strength. In particular, the wear resistance of CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 with 30 wt%WC is increased by 4.1 times and the yield strength is increased by more than 1.6 times. It proves that the yield strength and wear resistance of laser deposited CrFeNiB 0.03 Si 0.03 MEA can be improved by adding WC.