Microstructure and Properties of Ti/Ni+ZrO₂ Laser Cladding Layer on TA15 Titanium Alloy Surface

In order to improve the surface hardness and wear resistance of TA15 titanium alloy, Ti/Ni+5% ZrO₂ (mass fraction) coating was prepared by laser cladding method on the surface of TA15 titanium alloy. The microstructure and properties of the coating were studied. The results show that the cladding layer was well bonded with the substrate. Except of intermetallic compound Ti₂Ni and TiNi, there were a small amount of monoclinic phase zirconia (m-ZrO₂) and tetragonal phase zirconia (t-ZrO₂) in the cladding layer. The wear resistance and hardness of the cladding layer were greatly improved by the phase of TiNi and Ti₂Ni, and the toughness of the cladding layer was increased by ZrO₂ phase which further increased the wear resistance and hardness of the cladding layer at the same time.