Abstract: By adding spherical WC particles with mass fraction of 10% to 30% to AlCrFe₂Ni₂Mo_0.9 high-entropy alloy powder, the coatings with various WC contents were prepared on 316L stainless steel by using high-velocity laser cladding technology. The effect of WC content on the phase composition, microstructure, element distribution, hardness, and wear resistance of the coatings was systematically evaluated by means of X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, microhardness tester, and friction wear tester. The results indicate that, without WC addition, the coating mainly consists of FCC phase, BCC phase and σ phase. As the WC content increases, the diffraction peak intensities of the BCC and σ phases gradually weaken, while that of the FCC phase strengthens. When the WC content reaches 30%, the phase composition is in a state where FCC phase and Fe₃W₃C phase coexist. With the increase of WC content, the microstructure of the coating transitions from dendritic to a more uniform equiaxed crystal morphology, significantly enhancing the fine grain strengthening effect. Simultaneously, partial dissolution of WC particles promotes the formation of an alloyed reaction layer and fishbone-like structures. As the WC content increases from 0% to 30%, the microhardness and wear resistance of the coating show a trend of first decrease and then increase, ultimately reaching the highest hardness of 567.22 HV at 30% WC content, along with the best wear resistance, reducing the wear rate to 0.68×10^-5 mm³·N^-1·m^-1, with a friction coefficient of 0.386.

Key words: high-entropy alloy, WC particle, microstructure, microhardness, wear resistance