Microstructure, Mechanical, and Electrochemical Properties of SiC Particle Reinforced CoCrFeNiCu High-Entropy Alloy Coatings

SiC particle reinforced CoCrFeNiCu high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings (CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(x), x = 0, 5, 10, 15 wt%) were successfully fabricated on 316L stainless steel via laser cladding technique. The effects of SiC particles on the microstructure, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of CoCrFeNiCu HEA were investigated. The results showed that the as-fabricated CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(x) HEA coatings is a FCC structure, and a secondary phase formed of Cr7C3 at the grain boundaries. Grain boundary strengthening enhances the mechanical properties of CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(x) HEA coatings. Especially for CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(15) HEA coatings, the microhardness, wear weight, and friction coefficient were 568.4 HV, 0.9 mg, and 0.35, respectively. With the increasing of SiC content, the corrosion resistance of CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(x) HEA coatings was enhanced in 3.5% NaCl solution. The CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(10) coatings showed better performance than others when they were evaluated for corrosion. These results indicated that the CoCrFeNiCu(SiC)(x) HEA coatings could significantly enhance the wear, friction, and corrosion resistance properties of the 316L stainless steel.