The FeCoCrNiB_x high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings with three different boron (B) contents were synthesized on Q245R steel (American grade: SA515 Gr60) by laser cladding deposition technology. Effects of B content on the microstructure and wear properties of FeCoCrNiB_x HEA coating were investigated. In this study, the phase composition, microstructure, micro-hardness, and wear resistance (rolling friction) were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a micro hardness tester, and a roller friction wear tester, respectively. The FeCoCrNiB_x coatings exhibited a typical dendritic and interdendritic structure, and the microstructure was refined with the increase of B content. Additionally, the coatings were found to be a simple face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution with borides. In terms of mechanical properties, the hardness and wear resistance ability of the coating can be enhanced with the increase of the B content, and the maximum hardness value of three HEA coatings reached around 1025 HV_0.2, which is higher than the hardness of the substrate material. It is suggested that the present fabricated HEA coatings possess potentials in application of wear resistance structures for Q245R steel.

In this study, a multi-element microalloyed GCr15Si1MoNbV bainitic bearing steel was designed by adding trace amounts of Nb and V. The bainite/martensite/retained austenite/undissolved carbide multiphase bearing steel with a short heat-treated cycle and remarkable comprehensive mechanical properties was prepared via low-temperature austempering, which was compared with a traditional quenched and tempered martensitic microstructure. The results showed that the comprehensive mechanical properties of the low-temperature bainitic microstructure of the Nb/V microalloyed bearing steel were better than those of a traditional tempered martensitic microstructure. In addition, as the isothermal temperature increased, the impact toughness of experimental steel was significantly improved, and the hardness decreased slightly. The tensile strength was improved with the increase in isothermal time. As the isothermal temperature increased, the bainite content of the experimental steel rose, and the stability of the retained austenite enhanced due to more carbon atoms being partitioned into it. The research work in this paper made a preliminary exploration for the application of Nb/V microalloyed bainitic bearing steel in the bearing field and provided some basic data for reference.

Nanostructured bainite was obtained in high-carbon Si-Al-rich steel by low-temperature (220–260 °C) isothermal transformation after austenitisation at different temperatures (900 °C, 1000 °C, and 1150 °C). Improved strength-ductility-toughness balance was achieved in the nanostructured bainitic steel austenitised at low temperatures (900 °C and 1000 °C). Increasing the austenitising temperature not only coarsened prior austenite grains and bainite packets, but also increased the size and fraction of blocky retained austenite. High austenitising temperature (1150 °C) remarkably decreased ductility and impact toughness, but had a small effect on strength and hardness.