Chun Kit Sit has submitted his Master’s thesis on Direct Laser Deposition (DLD) of WC/Co cermets as wear-resistant coatings. WC/Co cermets are composite materials composed of tungsten carbide (ceramic) in a cobalt binder (metallic). WC/Co cermets are especially hard and wear resistant but their traditional manufacturing processes are expensive.
Direct laser deposition (DLC) of WC/Co is an alternative route for the fabrication of wear-resistant surfaces and it also opens the possibility of repairing used components. This is a particularly interesting option since the wear resistant material can be placed where it is most required, while the bulk of the component can be made from cheaper or tougher materials.
This thesis reports the process optimisation of DLD of WC/17Co coatings on a low carbon mild steel substrate and examines the wear performance of the coatings in both low-stress (ASTM B65) and high-stress (ASTM B611) wear tests.