Single and multi-layered (with two and three layers) coatings of Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B6 amorphous alloy were applied to AISI 1018 steel substrates via laser cladding. XRD analysis indicated partial retention of the amorphous phase along with the formation of oxide and carbide phases. Cross-sectional SEM micrographs revealed relatively sound coatings laser clad with single layer of amorphous alloy; however, cracks and voids were observed in the two and three layered amorphous coatings. The specimens with single and two layered amorphous coatings exhibited surface hardness of about 650 VHN while the hardness of the specimens with three layered amorphous coatings (~1100 VHN) nearly equaled the hardness of previously reported sintered amorphous alloys of similar compositions. The ball-on-disc wear analysis demonstrated a reverse trend wherein the single and two layered amorphous coatings exhibited lower weight loss during the wear test cycle due to superior surface soundness while the three layered amorphous coatings showed aggravated wear due to internal voids and cracks.
