Micron-size Ni-base alloy (NBA) powders were mixed with both 1.5 wt.% (hereinafter %) micron-size CeO2 (m-CeO2) and also 1.5% and 3.0% nano-size CeO2 (n- CeO2) powders. These mixtures were coated on low-carbon steel (Q235) by 2.0 kW CO2 laser cladding. The effects on the microstructures, phases and electrochemical corrosion of the coatings upon the addition of m- and n- CeO2 powders to NBA (m- and n- CeO2 /NBA) have been investigated. The results showed that a smooth coating was prepared under suitable processing parameters (P= 2.0 kW, V= 180 mm min- 1) by adding 1.5% n- CeO2. In addition to the primary phases of γ-Ni, Cr23C6 and Ni3B in the Ni-base alloy coating, CeNi3 was formed in Ni-base alloy coatings with both n- CeO2 and m-CeO2 particles, and CeNi5 appeared in the coating upon decreasing the size of CeO2 particles. Well-developed dendrites were observed in the Ni-base alloy coating; directional dendrites grew at the interface in the coating upon the addition of m-CeO2, whereas fine and multioriented dendrites grew upon decreasing the size of CeO2 particles to the nanoscale. Actinomorphic dendrites and compact equiaxed dendrites grew from the interface to near the surface upon increasing the content of n- CeO2 from 1.5 to 3.0%. In strongly acidic HNO3 solution, the severe corrosion of dendrites occurred and there were many corrosion pits in the Ni-base alloy coating; intercrystalline corrosion also has a dominant role upon the addition of m-CeO2, whereas uniform corrosion occurs in the coating as the size of CeO2 particles is decreased to nanoscale.
Keywords: corrosion resistance; laser cladding; microstructure; n-CeO2/Ni-based alloy.