Effect of rare earth Y₂O₃ on abrasion resistance of 6063 Al laser cladding Ni-based cladding layer

Ni60 alloy cladding layer with different contents of rare earth Y₂O₃ was prepared on the surface of 6063 aluminum alloys using laser cladding technology, and the wear resistance of cladding layers was investigated. By analyzing the microstructure of cladding layers, the surface morphology of grinding cracks, wear loss and friction coefficient, the effect of Y₂O₃ contents on the wear resistance of laser cladding Ni-based coating was studied. The results show that Ni60 cladding layer with 5% Y₂O₃ displayed significant network distribution of dendrites and fine equiaxed grains. The rare earth Y₂O₃ could improve the microstructure of Ni60 cladding layer on the surface of aluminum alloy, promote grains refinement and uniform distribution of composition. The chipping degree of wear surface was smaller on Ni60 cladding layers with Y₂O₃ than on Ni60 cladding layer, and the friction stability were improved. With increasing the content of rare earth, the amount of wear loss decreased, but the wear loss did not change substantially when the Y₂O₃ content was higher than 5%. Ni60 cladding layer with 5% Y₂O₃ had better wear morphology, lower wear loss and more stable friction coefficient, and its wear resistance was 6.1 times of that of Ni60 cladding layer and 20.1 times of that of 6063 Al alloy matrix.