Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot

Automatic surveying robots serve as critical tools for replacing manual labor and enhancing efficiency in surveying tasks. However, the aluminum (Al) alloy surfaces of these robots are prone to wear and corrosion during operation. To solve the problem, improve the surface condition of the Al alloy,...

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Main Authors: Chunge Liu, Xingwu Qiu, Qian Su, Yongqiang Shen, Zhansheng Wang, Jia Peng, Zhongwei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425012062
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author Chunge Liu
Xingwu Qiu
Qian Su
Yongqiang Shen
Zhansheng Wang
Jia Peng
Zhongwei Liu
author_facet Chunge Liu
Xingwu Qiu
Qian Su
Yongqiang Shen
Zhansheng Wang
Jia Peng
Zhongwei Liu
author_sort Chunge Liu
collection DOAJ
description Automatic surveying robots serve as critical tools for replacing manual labor and enhancing efficiency in surveying tasks. However, the aluminum (Al) alloy surfaces of these robots are prone to wear and corrosion during operation. To solve the problem, improve the surface condition of the Al alloy, achieve its normal use and extend its service life, this study adopts a laser additive manufacturing technology to prepare graphene (Gr) reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx (x = 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.60) high entropy alloys (HEAs) composite coatings on the Al alloy substrate. The preparation parameters were optimized through orthogonal experiments. The effects of Nb content on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the coatings were systematically investigated, the influence of Gr on the coating was also studied. The microstructure of the coatings were analyzed using XRD, SEM, TEM, etc. The electrochemical corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the coatings were studied using an electrochemical workstation, hardness tester, and friction and wear tester. The results indicate that the Gr/AlNiTiCrNbx coatings primarily consist of fine equiaxed crystals, with both Gr and Nb contributing to grain refinement. With increasing Nb content, the coating microhardness increases, while both wear and corrosion resistance exhibit an initial improvement followed by deterioration. The coatings exhibit outstanding mechanical and anti-corrosion properties, achieving a maximum microhardness of 491 HV, a minimum average friction coefficient of 0.40, and a corrosion current density as low as 6.73 × 10−5. Practical applications confirm that the Gr/AlNiTiCrNbx coatings significantly enhance the durability and operational lifespan of automatic surveying robots.
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publisher Elsevier
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series Journal of Materials Research and Technology
spelling doaj-art-96e515a57b634aec9fc58d20e2dec8fc2025-08-20T03:52:55ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-05-01367798780610.1016/j.jmrt.2025.05.051Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robotChunge Liu0Xingwu Qiu1Qian Su2Yongqiang Shen3Zhansheng Wang4Jia Peng5Zhongwei Liu6Sichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaCorresponding author.; Sichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaSichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaSichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaSichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaSichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaSichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, ChinaAutomatic surveying robots serve as critical tools for replacing manual labor and enhancing efficiency in surveying tasks. However, the aluminum (Al) alloy surfaces of these robots are prone to wear and corrosion during operation. To solve the problem, improve the surface condition of the Al alloy, achieve its normal use and extend its service life, this study adopts a laser additive manufacturing technology to prepare graphene (Gr) reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx (x = 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.60) high entropy alloys (HEAs) composite coatings on the Al alloy substrate. The preparation parameters were optimized through orthogonal experiments. The effects of Nb content on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the coatings were systematically investigated, the influence of Gr on the coating was also studied. The microstructure of the coatings were analyzed using XRD, SEM, TEM, etc. The electrochemical corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the coatings were studied using an electrochemical workstation, hardness tester, and friction and wear tester. The results indicate that the Gr/AlNiTiCrNbx coatings primarily consist of fine equiaxed crystals, with both Gr and Nb contributing to grain refinement. With increasing Nb content, the coating microhardness increases, while both wear and corrosion resistance exhibit an initial improvement followed by deterioration. The coatings exhibit outstanding mechanical and anti-corrosion properties, achieving a maximum microhardness of 491 HV, a minimum average friction coefficient of 0.40, and a corrosion current density as low as 6.73 × 10−5. Practical applications confirm that the Gr/AlNiTiCrNbx coatings significantly enhance the durability and operational lifespan of automatic surveying robots.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425012062Laser claddingHigh entropy alloysReinforcedTribological behaviorCorrosion
spellingShingle Chunge Liu
Xingwu Qiu
Qian Su
Yongqiang Shen
Zhansheng Wang
Jia Peng
Zhongwei Liu
Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Laser cladding
High entropy alloys
Reinforced
Tribological behavior
Corrosion
title Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
title_full Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
title_fullStr Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
title_full_unstemmed Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
title_short Graphene reinforced AlNiTiCrNbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
title_sort graphene reinforced alniticrnbx high entropy alloy coatings by laser additive manufacturing and its application in automatic surveying robot
topic Laser cladding
High entropy alloys
Reinforced
Tribological behavior
Corrosion
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425012062
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