Fig. 1. Powder morphologies. (a) NiCu; (b) WC

Fig. 2. Schematics of DED of circular oscillation laser. (a) Schematic of equipment; (b) oscillation trajectory and deposition process

Fig. 3. Schematic of test process

Fig. 4. XRD patterns of NiCu and NiCu/30%WC composites

Fig. 5. Macro-morphologies of deposition layers. (a) NiCu; (b) NiCu/30%WC composites

Fig. 6. Microstructures of two types of deposition layers. (a) Upper NiCu; (b) central NiCu; (c) lower part of NiCu; (d) upper NiCu/30%WC; (e) central NiCu/30%WC; (f) lower part of NiCu/30%WC

Fig. 7. Comparison of grain sizes of NiCu and NiCu/30%WC composites. (a) Microstructure of NiCu; (b) grain size of NiCu; (c) microstructure of NiCu/30%WC; (d) grain size of NiCu/30%WC

Fig. 8. Crystallization diagrams of NiCu and NiCu/30%WC composites. (a) NiCu; (b) NiCu/30%WC

Fig. 9. EDS scanning results of WC particles. (a) Line scanning result; (b) surface scanning result; (c) Ni element distribution; (d) W element distribution; (e) C element distribution; (f) Cu element distribution

Fig. 10. EDS point scanning areas

Fig. 11. Comparison of microhardness

Fig. 12. Friction and wear test results of NiCu and NiCu/30%WC composites. (a) Friction coefficient curves; (b) mass loss; (c) two-dimensional morphologies of wear scars; (d) three-dimensional morphologies of wear scars

Fig. 13. SEM images of worn surfaces. (a) NiCu; (b) NiCu/30%WC composite

Fig. 14. Wear mechanisms of NiCu and NiCu/30%WC composites