TiMoNbZr_x refractory high-entropy alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting, and the influence of the Zr alloying element and its content on the phases, microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of TiMoNbZr_x alloys was explored. It was found that the alloys after Zr addition were composed of a single BCC phase. Upon increasing the Zr content, the grain size of the as-cast alloy decreased first and then increased, and TiMoNbZr_0.5 exhibited the smallest grain size. Adding an appropriate amount of Zr increased the strength and hardness of the alloys. TiMoNbZr_0.5 exhibited the best wear resistance, with a friction coefficient of about 0.33. It also displayed the widest wear scar, the shallowest depth, and the greatest degree of wear on the grinding ball because of the formation of an oxide film during wear.

High-temperature resistant high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent thermodynamic stability and mechanical properties, especially at high temperatures. However, a highly effective method for large-size HEAs is still desirable but challengeable. This research reported a facile yet effective strategy for MoNbTaWTi HEAs via in-situ wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The wire was MoNbTaWTi cable-type welding wire (CTWW) consisting of one center wire and seven twisted peripheral wires. Then, additive manufacturing of MoNbTaWTi high entropy alloys (HEAs) was accomplished, and various analytical techniques studied the microstructures and mechanical properties of the overlaying formed layers. X-ray diffraction showed the overlaying formed layers to contain a single disordered BCC solid solution phase with high-temperature structural stability. In addition, the single-phase BCC structure was maintained from 0 to 1400 °C. The bottom of the overlaying formed layers was made of columnar cellular structure, and the upper part resembled “cauliflower-like” fine dendrite and equiaxed crystal structure. The hardness of the overlaying formed layers averaged 533 HV_0.2 at room temperature. At 1000 °C, the hardness was around 110 HV₁, close to the value of Inconel 718 alloy (125 HV₁). The compressive strength of the overlaying formed alloy layers displayed no sensitivity towards change in temperature from 500 to 1000 °C. As the temperature rose from 500 to 1000 °C, the compressive strength changed from 629 to 602 MPa, equivalent to only a 27 MPa decrease. The latter was much higher than the strength of Inconel 718 alloy at the same temperature (200 MPa).

This paper studies paint removal using laser technology. A finite element model was created using COMSOL Multiphysics software, and the temperature field generated during the cleaning process was analyzed and verified. Laser paint removal behavior was investigated using a fiber laser, and its mechanism studied by combining Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In-depth analysis of this relatively new technology could provide the theoretical basis for industrial application. The results of this study show that, when compared to the original paint layer, the infrared absorption spectrum of the cleaned surface had two additional two peaks—1333.36 cm⁻¹ and 678.82 cm⁻¹. In addition, there was a decrease in C element content on the treated surface and an increase in O content. In addition, new organic and complex compounds were formed on the cleaned surface as a result of bond cleavage and rearrangement. Furthermore, paint particles of varying sizes and shapes were produced by the impact of plasma shock. Under high-energy laser irradiation, the paint layer underwent combustion, resulting in spherical nanoparticles of uniform shape.

Combined with the technologies of underwater local dry laser cladding (ULDLC) and underwater local dry laser remelting (ULDLR), a duplex stainless steel (DSS) coating has been made in an underwater environment. The phase composition, microstructure, chemical components and electrochemical corrosion resistance was studied. The results show that after underwater laser remelting, the phase composition of DSS coating remains unchanged and the phase transformation from Widmanstätten austenite + intragranular austenite + (211) ferrite to (110) ferrite occurred. The ULDLR process can improve the corrosion resistance of the underwater local dry laser cladded coating. The corrosion resistance of remelted coating at 3 kW is the best, the corrosion resistance of remelted coating at 1kW and 5kW is similar and the corrosion resistance of (110) ferrite phase is better than grain boundary austenite phase. The ULDLC + ULDLR process can meet the requirements of efficient underwater maintenance, forming quality control and corrosion resistance. It can also be used to repair the surface of S32101 duplex stainless steel in underwater environment.

In order to improve the tribological properties of an engine piston ring and enhance its service life, magnetron sputtering technology and low temperature ion sulphurizing treatment technology were used to prepare CrMoN/MoS₂ solid lubricant coating on the surface of an engine piston ring. The morphologies and compositions of the surface and cross-section of the sulfuration layer were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and wear property under high load, high speed and high temperature conditions were tested by a SRV^®4 friction and wear testing machine. The results show that the CrMoN/MoS₂ composite coatings appear as a dense grain structure, and the coating is an ideal solid lubrication layer that possesses an excellent high temperature wear resistance, reducing the engine operating temperature abrasion effectively and prolonging the service life of the engine.

In order to explore the feasibility of underwater wet laser welding of the TC4 titanium alloy, research on the underwater laser self-fusion welding process was carried out. The weld structure and mechanical properties in both the air environment and the underwater environment were compared and analyzed. The results show that increasing the laser power and reducing the welding speed are beneficial to obtain a larger water depth threshold. Off-focus amount has little effect on water depth threshold; when the laser power is 3000 W and the welding speed is 5 mm/s, and the water depth exceeds 7 mm, a continuous weld cannot be formed. Compared with welding in the air, underwater welding has narrower weld width, smaller heat affected zone and finer crystal grains. The weld structure is mainly composed of α′ martensite and secondary acicular α′ phase, it is distributed in a net basket shape and the grain size at the top of the weld is finer. The hardness of the weld center is above 600 HV0.1, and the residual stress of the underwater welding weld is approximately symmetrically distributed. There is a large tensile stress along the welding direction at the weld, reaching 458 MPa. The larger residual tensile stress leads to the decrease of weld tensile strength, the tensile strength and elongation of the middle sample are only 52% and 77% of the base metal. Furthermore, the fracture mode is typical brittle fracture.