Preparation, Microstructure, and Interface Quality of Cr3C2-NiCr Cladding Layer on the Surface of Q235 Steel
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
I think the authors are trying to provide reasoning for their results without valid justifications. Therefore, I strongly suggest that the manuscript be revised thoroughly, if it is to be considered for publication.
Please find my comments in the attached pdf file.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments:
1. The author communicated the content of the manuscript clearly and appropriately.
2. The author summarized the current state of the topic in the introduction section with good literature.
3. The author mentioned the study's aim, which is consistent with the rest of the manuscript.
4. All figures are precise and accurately represent the results.
5. All figures are cited consecutively in the text.
Minor Mistakes
6. In the abstract, the author should also contain your results in 2 lines and a 1 line conclusion.
7. The author should avoid multiple references throughout the manuscript. After Reference 14-15 in line 40, there is one sentence where the author didn’t cite any reference there, and suddenly the author wrote 16-20. Cite them at the end of each sentence appropriately. This strategy is used throughout the manuscript.
8. The author didn’t explain the XRD results, and crystallographic planes in figure 3, section 3 of the manuscript.
9. The author has made a lot of grammatical mistakes in the manuscript.
10. Many sentences are started with a preposition; the author should avoid it because it is an improper way to express something in the manuscript.
11. The conclusions section should be properly demonstrated and lucid enough for a reader.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The present work entitled " Influence of laser power, scanning speed, and overlap rate on the microstructure and interface quality of cladding layer" describes the microstructure of the Cr3C2-NiCr powder composite layer on the surface of the Q235 steel obtained by a laser cladding method. The influence of the parameters of the laser process (laser power, scanning speed, overlap rate) on the penetration depth and the formation of the structure of the transition layer is considered.
This topic is interesting and worthy to be investigated. The manuscript is generally well written, with a rather informative introduction. The conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. I think this paper can be considered for publication, but it needs some improvements.
General remarks:
1. The manuscript requires editing of English language and style. It is not entirely clear why the authors use sentence constructions like «…diagram was shown in Fig.2», «…parameters were shown in Table 2.», «…formula of the dilution rate was shown below.», «Fig.5 was the SEM micrograph», etc.
2. The Cr3C2 and NiCr powders used in the work should be better characterized. How was the mixture obtained? What does «excellent liquidity» mean? (line 67), how can this be seen from Fig. 1?"
3. What is the basis of the statement: «The Cr3C2-NiCr coating was hard and compact with low internal residual stress, which could work below 1000℃.» (line 67-69).
4. Why in experimental section are only modes for changing the laser power given? No data on changing in scanning speed and overlap rate.
5. X-ray tube anode material not specified.
6. It is not clear whether there is a dissolution of carbide particles in the process of laser cladding.
7. The given XRD pattern looks unreliable. Part of the peaks that should be from Cr3C2 carbide are missing. Verification required.
8. Where was the SEM image on Fig. 3 taken from in the sample?
9. Authors should change the title of the article (need a more general version).
10. line 64: Perhaps it means "degreasing", and not "decontamination".
11. line 87: Perhaps it means "etched", and not "corroded".
12. What is the reason for the increase in the heat affected zone with increasing scanning speed?
13. Figure 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10: hard to read small captions.
14. The work does not contain a SEM image of the structure of the cladding layer with the results of point EDS analysis. It is very difficult to discuss the phase and chemical composition of the cladding layer. The presented EDS maps have a very low resolution. The manuscript with opportune modifications can be considered for publication in Coatings.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The Introduction and Discussion sections needs to be improved with relevant citations. Please find attached some useful references.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2017.08.013
Author Response
Reviewer #1: This paper has been revised by the authors, while it still needs some revisions. The main comments are listed as follows:
- The Introduction and Discussion sections needs to be improved with relevant citations. Please find attached some useful references.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2017.08.013
Response to reviewer’s comments: Thank you very much for your constructive comments. We have revised the paper according to the reviewer’s suggestions.
- A. Rahman Rashid et al had some researches on laser processing parameters, and the conclusions were of great reference significance. R. A. Rahman Rashid et al [29] prepared the laser cladding layer of 316L stainless steel on mild steel and studied the significant variation in the clad thickness, depth of penetration of the melt pool, and depth of the heat affected zone (HAZ). They observed and correlated with the process parameters including laser power, scan speed, dilution, and specific energy of the laser beam. C. Barr et al [30] studied the low cycle fatigue behavior on 300M steel by laser directed energy deposition repair. R. A. Rahman Rashid et al [31] studied LPHT treatment, which can be effectively employed for localized control of the microstructure in the laser clad repaired parts by tuning the laser reheat parameters. G. X. Li et al [32] studied the influence of machining parameters on the machinability of selective laser melted (SLMed) Ti6Al4V tubes, including cutting forces, machined surface roughness and tool wear at varying cutting parameters. (Page 2, Lines 17-28)
[29] R. A. Rahman Rashid, S. Abaspour, S. Palanisamy, et al. Metallurgical and geometrical characterisation of the 316L stainless steel clad deposited on a mild steel substrate. Surface & Coatings Technology 327 (2017) 174-184.
[30] C. Barr, R. A. Rahman Rashid, S. D. Sun, et al. Role of deposition strategy and fill depth on the tensile and fatigue performance of 300 M repaired through laser directed energy deposition. International Journal of Fatigue 146 (2021) 106135
[31] R. A. Rahman Rashid, K. A. Nazari, C. Barr, S. Palanisamy, N. Orchowski, N. Matthews, M. S. Dargusch. Effect of laser reheat post-treatment on the microstructural characteristics of laser-cladded ultra-high strength steel. Surface & Coatings Technology 372 (2019) 93-102.
[32] G. X. Li, R. A. Rahman Rashid, S. L. Ding, et al. Machinability Analysis of Finish-Turning Operations for Ti6Al4V Tubes Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting. Metals 12 (2022) 806.
Thank you very much.
