Research on Performance Improvement Strategies for Clothing Zippers in High Wear and Corrosion Environments

Ruoyan Ning and Tianjiao Zhang

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64486/m.65.4.14
Online publication date: April 29, 2026

Abstract: With the rapid development of outdoor sports, marine operations, and special work clothing, the performance failure of clothing zippers in high wear-corrosion coupling environments has become increasingly prominent. Traditional metal zippers have low surface hardness and insufficient corrosion resistance, making it difficult to meet the long-term use requirements under complex working condi-tions. This paper proposes a surface engineering strategy based on laser cladding technology, which in-situ prepares a Stellite 12 cobalt-based alloy coating on the surface of 304 stainless steel zipper teeth. The microstructure, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the coating are systematically studied. The results show that the laser cladding coating forms a metallurgical bond with the substrate, forming a composite structure of “γ-Co solid solution matrix + hard carbide eutectic”. The microhardness of the coating is significantly improved; friction and wear tests show that its wear loss is greatly reduced compared with the substrate, and the corrosion current density decreases by an order of magnitude in the corrosive environment, demonstrating excellent comprehensive performance. This study provides a feasible material and process solution for improving the service performance of zippers in harsh environments, and has important theoretical value and practical significance for promoting the development of high-end functional clothing.

Keywords: clothing zippers; laser cladding; wear resistance; corrosion resistance

This article is published online first and will appear in Metalurgija, Vol. 65, Issue 4 (2026).