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Distinct grain refinement and phase evolution in laser-clad AlTiZr-based coatings reinforced with Y2O3 and SiC on pure zirconium.

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Title: Distinct grain refinement and phase evolution in laser-clad AlTiZr-based coatings reinforced with Y2O3 and SiC on pure zirconium.
Authors: Liu, Hongliang1 (AUTHOR), Chai, Linjiang1 (AUTHOR) chailinjiang@cqut.edu.cn, Wang, Yueyuan1 (AUTHOR), Gou, Yinning1 (AUTHOR) gyning@cqut.edu.cn, Zhao, Xiaotong1 (AUTHOR), Dong, Haiyu1 (AUTHOR), Li, Jincheng1 (AUTHOR), Wu, Shaoxin1 (AUTHOR), Duan, Huming2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Applied Surface Science. Nov2026, Vol. 745, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Grain refinement, Silicon carbide, Microhardness, Metal coating, Zirconium, Yttrium oxides, Laser deposition, Phase transitions
Abstract: [Display omitted] • AlTiZr-based coatings reinforced with Y 2 O 3 or SiC were fabricated by laser cladding. • Y 2 O 3 is retained as nanoscale particles without triggering equiaxed grain formation. • SiC decomposes in situ to form dispersed ZrC, promoting strong grain refinement. • Hardness enhancement is governed by different strengthening mechanisms in various coatings. In this study, AlTiZr-based alloy and composite coatings reinforced with Y 2 O 3 or SiC were fabricated on commercially pure zirconium using laser cladding. Particular attention was paid to the distinct roles of oxide and carbide additions in regulating phase constitution, grain morphology and second-phase characteristics under identical laser processing conditions. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy analyses reveal that all coatings are dominated by a body-centered cubic solid-solution phase. The AlTiZr and AlTiZr-Y 2 O 3 coatings exhibit columnar grain structures, whereas the AlTiZr-SiC coating shows a pronounced transition to fine equiaxed grains. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that Y 2 O 3 is retained as uniformly distributed nanoscale particles after laser processing, while the added SiC decomposes and reacts in situ with Zr to form dispersed ZrC particles accompanied by Al–Si enrichment at grain boundaries. EBSD-based grain size statistics and misorientation analyses further quantify the distinct refinement and strain states of the three coatings. Microhardness measurements are correlated with the observed microstructural features, showing a progressive increase from the AlTiZr alloy coating to the SiC-reinforced composite coating. These results demonstrate that Y 2 O 3 and SiC additions influence microstructural evolution through fundamentally different mechanisms and provide insight into tailoring AlTiZr-based laser-clad coatings on zirconium substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:[Display omitted] • AlTiZr-based coatings reinforced with Y 2 O 3 or SiC were fabricated by laser cladding. • Y 2 O 3 is retained as nanoscale particles without triggering equiaxed grain formation. • SiC decomposes in situ to form dispersed ZrC, promoting strong grain refinement. • Hardness enhancement is governed by different strengthening mechanisms in various coatings. In this study, AlTiZr-based alloy and composite coatings reinforced with Y 2 O 3 or SiC were fabricated on commercially pure zirconium using laser cladding. Particular attention was paid to the distinct roles of oxide and carbide additions in regulating phase constitution, grain morphology and second-phase characteristics under identical laser processing conditions. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy analyses reveal that all coatings are dominated by a body-centered cubic solid-solution phase. The AlTiZr and AlTiZr-Y 2 O 3 coatings exhibit columnar grain structures, whereas the AlTiZr-SiC coating shows a pronounced transition to fine equiaxed grains. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that Y 2 O 3 is retained as uniformly distributed nanoscale particles after laser processing, while the added SiC decomposes and reacts in situ with Zr to form dispersed ZrC particles accompanied by Al–Si enrichment at grain boundaries. EBSD-based grain size statistics and misorientation analyses further quantify the distinct refinement and strain states of the three coatings. Microhardness measurements are correlated with the observed microstructural features, showing a progressive increase from the AlTiZr alloy coating to the SiC-reinforced composite coating. These results demonstrate that Y 2 O 3 and SiC additions influence microstructural evolution through fundamentally different mechanisms and provide insight into tailoring AlTiZr-based laser-clad coatings on zirconium substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01694332
DOI:10.1016/j.apsusc.2026.167258