The paper presents the study results of a laser cladding process of C45 steel using powder mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate the microstructure, X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical composition (EDS), microhardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the newly obtained coatings. Modified coatings were prepared using laser cladding technology. A 1 kW continuous wave Yb:YAG disk laser with a powder feeding system was applied. Two different powder mixtures as well as various laser beam parameters were used. The first powder mixture contained Fe–B, and the second mixture was Fe–B–B₄C–Si. Two values of laser beam power (600 and 800 W) and three values of scanning speed (600, 800, and 1000 mm/min) were applied during the studies. As a result of the influence of the laser beam, the zones enriched with modifying elements were obtained. Based on the results of XRD, the presence of phases derived from borides and carbides was found. In all cases analyzed, EDS studies showed that there is an increased content of boron in the dendritic areas, while there is an increased silicon content in interdendritic spaces. The addition of B₄C and Si improved properties such as microhardness as well as wear and corrosion resistance. The microhardness of the coating increased from approx. 400 HV to approx. 1100 HV depending on the laser parameters used. The best corrosion resistance was obtained for the Fe–B–B₄C–Si coating produced using the highest laser beam scanning speed. An improvement in wear resistance can be seen after wear tests, where the weight loss decreased from about 0.08 g to about 0.05 g.

The paper presents the study results of laser modification of FeB–Fe₂B surface layers produced on Vanadis-6 steel using pack cementation method. Microstructure, x-ray phase analysis, chemical composition study using wave dispersive spectrometry method, microhardness, corrosion resistance as well as surface condition, roughness, and wear resistance were investigated. The diffusion boronizing processes were performed at 900 °C for 5 h in the EKabor® powder mixture. The boronized layers had a dual-phase microstructure composed of two types of iron borides, FeB and Fe₂B, and their microhardness ranged from 1800 to 1400 HV. The laser surface modification was carried out on specimens after diffusion boronizing process using CO₂ laser with a nominal power of 2600 W. Laser beam power used in this experiment was equal to 1040 W and was constant. While the three values of scanning speed were used: 19, 48, and 75 mm/s. During laser modification, the multiple tracks were made where distance between of axis tracks was equal to 0.5 mm. As a result of this process, microstructure consisted of remelted zone, heat-affected zone, and substrate was obtained. In remelted zone, the boron-martensite eutectic was observed. Boronized layers after laser modification were characterized by the mild gradient of microhardness from surface to the substrate and their value was dependent on the scanning speed used and was between 1700 and 1100 HV. Corrosion resistance tests revealed reducing the current of corrosion in case of laser modification process. Wear resistance of laser modified specimens was improved in comparison to diffusion boronized layers.

The paper presents the results of the microstructure investigation, phase and chemical composition, microhardness as well as corrosion and wear resistance tests of B-Si coatings produced on C45 steel. In this study, boron and silicon were added to the surface of steel using the laser alloying process. The main purpose of the study was to check whether the use of silicon, boron or a mixture of these chemical elements would improve the mechanical properties of the surface. Boron and silicon, as well as its mixture, were prepared in various proportions and subsequently were applied on steel substrate in the form of pre-coat (paste) of 80 µm thick. All pre-coats were processed by a laser beam and the obtained microstructures were analyzed and compared. Laser alloying processes were carried out using device equipped with a CO₂ laser. After laser alloying, the microstructure consisted of a melted zone, heat affected zone and unchanged steel substrate. The newly created B-Si coatings were characterized by properties better than the case of boron and silicon coatings, with particularly high microhardness in the range from 1430 HV to 1870 HV, as well as high corrosion and wear resistance.