Microstructure and wear resistance of in-situ synthesized stellate Mo2C reinforced WC/amorphous composite coatings by resistance seam welding (RSW)

In this study, in-situ synthesized stellate Mo2C reinforced WC/amorphous composite coatings have been prepared by resistance seam welding (RSW). The effects of WC-12Co amounts (0-30 wt%) on the microstructure, hardness, and wear properties of the composite coatings were performed using XRD, SEM-EDS, micro and nanoindentation techniques. The stellate Mo2C precipitates with a dispersion distribution were formed by the reaction between the carbon decomposed from WC-12Co and the Mo-rich region in the amorphous powder. The wear resistance of the C30 coating was 20.57 times that of the substrate respectively. The improved wear resistance was due to the metallurgical bonding between the uniformly distributed stellate Mo2C precipitates and the matrix, which weakened the adverse effects of WC peeling.