Review of rare earth oxide doping-modified laser cladding of Fe-based alloy coatings

• Laser cladding produces Fe-based alloy coatings with superior interfacial bonding and finer microstructure compared to traditional methods, but they suffer from lower hardness and wear/corrosion resistance. • Doping with rare earth oxides (La2O3, CeO2, Y2O3) significantly enhances the microstructure, hardness, wear, corrosion, and oxidation resistance of laser-cladded Fe-based alloy coatings. • The concentration of rare earth oxides critically influences coating properties; optimal doping levels refine grains and reduce defects like pores and cracks. • This review consolidates mechanisms by which rare earth oxides improve coating performance, providing a reference for advancing laser cladding technology for Fe-based alloys.