Investigating Microstructural Aspects of Cr3C2–NiCr Laser Cladding for Erosion-Resistant T91 Steel

This study focuses on enhancing the microstructural and wear properties of T91 steel, a high-temperature resistant material used in power plants for components like super heater coils, steam piping, and boilers. The research involves laser cladding with Cr3C2–NiCr powder on T91 steel, using a high-power diode laser as the heat source. Characterization techniques, including SEM and EDS analysis, reveal the presence of pores, cracks, and distinct microstructural features like carbide plates and columnar dendrites. Notably, the Vickers hardness results indicate a significant improvement in the hardness of the developed clad. The clad material exhibits an average hardness of 1019 Hv, while the substrate maintains a hardness of 415 Hv. Moreover, erosion tests conducted at both room temperature and 300 °C reveal consistent erosion resistance in the clad material. This suggests that the cladding process significantly improves the material’s resistance to erosion and wear, even under elevated temperature conditions, making it a promising choice for high-temperature environments in power plants.