Effect of WC content on microstructure and properties of Ni60/WC composite coatings for railway couplers
School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian 116028, Liaoning, China
  • Volume
  • Citation
    Wang X, Liu G, Qin M, Wang X, Zhao S. Effect of WC content on microstructure and properties of Ni60/WC composite coatings for railway couplers. Adv. Manuf. 2026(1):0001, https://doi.org/10.55092/am20260002. 
  • DOI
    10.55092/am20260002
  • Copyright
    Copyright2026 by the authors. Published by ELSP.
Abstract

Due to corrosion erosion and mechanical wear, the coupler connecting surface needs to be frequently polished and repaired. In order to avoid the fact that the fit clearance of the connecting surface gradually exceeds the design standard limit due to multiple maintenance, the coupler parts are scrapped in advance due to performance failure. In this research, Ni60/WC composite coatings were deposited onto 18MnNiV coupler substrate, with their geometric morphology, metallographic characteristics, microhardness, and corrosion resistance, and friction resistance systematically characterized. The influence of WC content (10%–60%) on the microstructure and properties of the coatings was thoroughly investigated. The findings indicate that the overall performance of the cladding layer can be markedly enhanced through the incorporation of WC particles. In terms of microstructure, the cladding layer with low WC content (10%–20%) takes γ-(Fe, Ni) as the matrix, WC particles are dispersed, the microstructure presents typical dendritic characteristics, and the surface quality is good. In terms of mechanical properties, the hardness of the cladding layer reaches a peak value of 1099 HV when the WC content is 50%, which is 5.5 times higher than that of the matrix (about 200 HV). At a tungsten carbide (WC) content of 30%, the cladding layer exhibits optimal wear resistance, with a wear loss measured at merely 0.170g (6.5% lower than that of 60% WC), the friction coefficient is stable at about 0.2, and the predominant wear mechanism is slight abrasive wear. At a tungsten carbide (WC) content of 10%, the cladding layer exhibits the highest corrosion potential and the lowest corrosion current density, and the corrosion resistance is the best.

Keywords

laser cladding; Ni60/WC; current assistance; mixed powder; coupler

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