Creation of a functionally graded material by the method of additive laser fusion

Results of an experimental study of the microstructure and microhardness of a functionally graded material based on 316L stainless steel and ceramic particles of tungsten carbide (WC) created by the method of additive laser fusion are reported. Defect-free high-quality metal-ceramic coatings with different fractions of ceramics are obtained. It is demonstrate by the methods of optical and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersion analysis that the laser action leads to dissolution of WC particles. The composition of the resultant coating, which has a dendrite character, includes iron and chromium carbides. The range of the coating microhardness is found to be HV$_{0,3}$ = 280–430.