Tribological properties of plasma sprayed and laser remelted 75/25 Cr3C2/NiCr coatings

A CO₂ laser was used to fuse based Ni–Cr Cr₃C₂ coatings for the purpose of homogenizing their microstructures and eliminating their porosity. Tests of layer control and wear resistance were carried out on the samples treated with the laser. The results have shown that laser remelting improves the microstructure of the coatings, increases the coating microhardness, and improves coating–substrate adherence. The dry sliding wear behaviour was characterized by the existence of two periods. During the first period the square of the wear volume is proportional to the sliding distance. During the second, the wear volume is proportional to the sliding distance.     

Tribological behaviour and wear mechanism of MoS2–Cr coatings sliding against various counterbody

MoS₂–Cr coatings with different Cr contents have been deposited on high speed steel substrates by closed field unbalanced magnetron (CFUBM) sputtering. The tribological properties of the coatings have been tested against different counterbodies under dry conditions using an oscillating friction and wear tester. The coating microstructures, mechanical properties and wear resistance vary according to the Cr metal-content. MoS₂ tribological properties are improved with a Cr metal dopant in the MoS₂ matrix. The optimum Cr content varies with different counterbodies. Showing especially good tribological properties were MoS₂–Cr8% coating sliding against either AISI 1045 steel or AA 6061 aluminum alloy, and MoS₂–Cr5% coating sliding against bronze. Enhanced tribological behavior included low wear depth on coating, low wear width on counterbody, low friction coefficients and long durability.     

Friction and wear behaviour of Thordon XL and LgSn80 in sliding against plasma-sprayed Cr2O3 coatings

This paper studies the friction and wear behaviour of two important bearing materials, Thordon XL and LgSn80, in dry and lubricated sliding vs. plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coatings. As a reference, AISI 1043 steel is also studied under the same conditions. SEM, EDS and surface topography were employed to study the wear mechanisms. The results indicate that the Thordon XL/Cr₂O₃ coating pair gives the lowest dry friction coefficient (0.16) under a normal load of 45.3 N (pressure 0.453 MPa) at a velocity of 1 m/s. The dry friction coefficient of Thordon XL/Cr₂O₃ coating increases to 0.38 under a normal load of 88.5 N (pressure 0.885 MPa). The dry friction coefficients of the LgSn80/Cr₂O₃ coating are in the range of 0.31–0.46. Secondly, both dry wear rate under low normal load (45.3 N) and lubricated wear rate under a load of 680 N for Thordon XL are lower than those of LgSn80 in sliding against plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coatings at a speed of 1 m/s. However, under a normal load of 88.5 N the dry wear rate of Thordon XL is much higher than that of LgSn80. Thirdly, a high viscosity lubricant (SAE 140) leads to lower wear for Thordon XL and LgSn80 than a low viscosity lubricant (SAE 30). Finally, the dominating wear mechanism for Thordon XL is shear fracture when against the plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ ceramic coating. For LgSn80 against plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ ceramic coating, abrasive wear is the governing failure mechanism.     

Architecture of Multilayer Cr/CrN Coatings for Wear Protection in Seawater: Cr/CrN Ratio and Total Thickness

Cr/CrN multilayer coatings with various Cr/CrN thickness ratios and total thicknesses were deposited on 316L stainless steel by multi-arc ion plating. The coatings were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and nanoindentation. Tribological behaviors were investigated using a ball-on-disk tribometer in artificial seawater. The results showed that the multilayer coating phases changed from Cr₂N + CrN to Cr + Cr₂N + CrN phases with an increase in Cr/CrN thickness ratio. The adhesion showed a slight difference for the coatings with different thickness ratios but significantly increased with total thickness. The hardness was also slightly improved by thickening the coatings. The friction coefficient and wear rate were lowest at a thickness ratio of about 0.3. However, there was no large difference in the friction coefficient between coatings with different thicknesses. The wear rate was lower for the thicker coatings under various loads. The load-bearing capacity was also improved by thickening the coatings.     

Friction and dry sliding wear behaviour of cermets

The friction and wear behaviour of cermets/steel rubbing pairs were investigated. Friction and wear tests were carried out using three different crèmets on the base of tungsten, titanium and chromium carbides under dry sliding conditions against steel disk (0.45% C). Sliding wear tests were carried out using modified block-on-ring equipment at a sliding speed of 2.2 m/s and normal load 40 N.It is shown that wear resistance and coefficient of friction depend on the type and chemical composition of the cermets. The WC–Co cermets have the highest wear resistance. The wear rate of WC–Co and TiC–NiMo cermets increased with increasing binder content in the cermets. The wear of Cr₃C₂–Ni cermets is more complicated and depends on the composition of cermets. The wear of WC–Co cermets is caused mainly by preferential removal of the cobalt binder, followed by fracture of the intergranular boundaries and fragmentation of the carbide grains. The main wear mechanism in the TiC–NiMo cermets is polishing (micro-abrasion) and adhesion, resulting in a low wear rate. The main wear mechanism of Cr₃C₂–Ni cermets involves thermal cracking and fatigue-related crushing of large carbide grains and carbide framework and also adhesion.     

Exploitation of wear- and corrosion-resistant cvd-coatings

Hard, friction reducing, wear- and corrosion-resistant coatings, in particular TiC, TiN, Ti(C,N), Cr₇C₃, borides and combinations of these substances in composite layers, can be applied to steel, Ni(Co) alloys and cemented carbides by cvd and pvd. This paper discusses friction and wear in ambient and more hostile environments, notably ultra-high vacuum and at about 350°C in a He-atmosphere. The corrosion behaviour of TiC in sulphuric acid and in sea water is also covered. Applications of these coatings in machine elements and tooling are described.     

Impact of Cr3C2/VC addition on the dry sliding friction and wear response of WC–Co cemented carbides

Two grades of WC–10 wt.%Co cemented carbide with or without addition of Cr₃C₂/VC grain growth inhibitor during liquid phase sintering were produced with the goal to investigate their reciprocating sliding friction and wear behaviour against WC–6 wt.%Co cemented carbide under unlubricated conditions. The tribological characteristics were obtained on a Plint TE77 tribometer using distinctive normal contact loads. The generated wear tracks were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and quantified topographically using surface scanning equipment. The post-mortem obtained wear volumes were compared to the online assessed wear. Correlations between wear volume, wear rate and coefficient of friction on the one hand and sliding distance and microstructural properties on the other hand were determined, revealing a significant influence of Cr₃C₂/VC on the friction characteristics and wear performance.     

Friction and wear properties of duplex MAO/CrN coatings sliding against Si3N4 ceramic balls in air, water and oil

It is evident that the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) ceramic coatings often exhibit relatively high friction coefficients as sliding against many mating materials. To reduce the friction coefficient for the MAO coatings, the duplex MAO/CrN coatings were deposited on 2024Al alloy using combined micro-arc oxidation and reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and phase of the duplex coatings were observed and determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The friction and wear behaviors of the duplex coatings sliding against Si₃N₄ balls in air, water and oil were investigated using a ball-on-disk tribometer. The wear rate of the duplex coating was determined by non-contact optical profilometer and the wear tracks on the duplex coatings were observed by SEM. The results showed the CrN coatings mainly consisted of Cr, CrN and Cr₂N phases. The duplex coatings/Si₃N₄ tribopair exhibited the highest friction coefficient in air, while displayed the lowest friction coefficient in oil. When the normal load and the sliding speed increased, the friction coefficient in air increased from 0.65 to 0.72, whereas decreased from 0.58 to 0.36 in water and 0.20 to 0.08 in oil. The specific wear rates for the duplex coatings in air were higher than those in oil. In comparison to the MAO coatings, the duplex MAO/CrN coatings displayed excellent tribological properties under the same conditions.     

Effects of anti-wear additives on friction and wear properties of Cr2O3 coating

The effects of some anti-wear additives on the friction and wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coating were investigated using a block-on-ring tester at ambient conditions. The results show that zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), tricesyl phosphate (TCP) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) significantly reduce the wear of Cr₂O₃ coating lubricated by paraffin oil. Additive concentrations as well as sliding time have great influence on the wear. The friction coefficient varies slightly with test conditions. The analysis by XPS of worn surfaces indicates that the wear resistance of these additives is due to the formation of tribochemical reaction films by reacting with Cr₂O₃ coatings.     

Friction and wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Cr2O3 coatings against steel in a wide range of sliding velocities and normal loads

This study investigates the influence of sliding speed and normal load on the friction and wear of plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coatings, in dry and lubricated sliding against AISI D2 steel. Friction and wear tests were performed in a wide speed range of 0.125–8 m/s under different normal loads using a block-on-ring tribometer. SEM, EDS and XPS were employed to identify the mechanical and chemical changes on the worn surfaces. A tangential impact wear model was proposed to explain the steep rising of wear from the minimum wear to the maximum wear. The results show that the wear of Cr₂O₃ coatings increases with increasing load. Secondly, there exist a minimum-wear sliding speed (0.5 m/s) and a maximum-wear sliding speed (3 m/s) for a Cr₂O₃ coating in dry sliding. With the increase of speed, the wear of a Cr₂O₃ coating decreases in the range 0.125–0.5 m/s, then rises steeply from 0.5 m/s to 3 m/s, followed by a decrease thereafter. The large variation of wear with respect to speed can be explained by stick-slip at low speeds, the tangential impact effect at median speeds and the softening effect of flash temperature at high speeds. Thirdly, the chemical compositions of the transfer film are a-Fe₂O₃ in the speed range 0.25–2 m/s, and FeO at 7 m/s. In addition, the wear mechanisms of a Cr₂O₃ coating in dry sliding versus AISI D2 steel are adhesion at low speeds, brittle fracture at median speeds and a mixture of abrasion and brittle fracture at high speeds. Finally the lubricated wear of Cr₂O₃ coating increases sharply from 1 to 2.8 m/s.     

INVESTIGATION OF NANO-STRUCTURED PVD COATINGS FOR DRY HIGH-SPEED MACHINING

The objective of this paper is to investigate the performance of different categories of hard PVD coatings in terms of friction and tool wear under dry high-speed machining (HSM) conditions. In this study five different categories of commercially available coatings (nano-composite AlTiN/Si₃N₄, nano-crystalline Al₆₇Ti₃₃N and mono-layered Ti₁₀Al₇₀Cr₂₀N) and experimental nano-multilayered coatings (Ti₂₅Al₆₅Cr₁₀N/BCN and Ti₂₅Al₆₅Cr₁₀N/WN) were studied by machining hardened steel AISI H13 (HRC 50). The coefficients of friction against steel versus temperature were measured. Tool wear and cutting forces were measured in-situ under dry high speed machining conditions. The morphology of the worn tools and the chips collected during cutting were studied using an SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and the EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis). The cutting temperatures were estimated based on the color of the chips generated during cutting. The comparison among these categories of coatings was conducted based on tool wear, coefficient of friction, cutting forces and chip formation. From this study, it was revealed that the solid self-lubricating layers, automatically formed in the cutting zone under elevated temperatures, play a key role in leading to a significant improvement of tool performance under dry high-speed machining.     

Role of the strengthening phases in abrasive wear resistance of laser-clad NiCrBSi coatings

The influence of the strengthening phases on the tribological characteristics (wear intensity, specific work of wear, coefficient of friction) and the wear mechanisms in two-body abrasion tests with abrasives of different hardnesses (corundum Al₂O₃, ~2000 HV and silicon carbide SiC, ~3000 HV) has been investigated for PG-SR2 (Cr₂₃C₆, 1000–1150 HV), PG-10N-01 (Cr₇C₃, 1650–1800 HV; CrB, 1950–2400 HV), and 75% PG-SR2 + 25% TiC (TiC, 2500–2900 HV; (Cr,Ni)₂₃(C,B)₆ and (Ti,Cr)(C,B), ~2000 HV) coatings. The dominant role of the strengthening phases (compared with the role of the metal matrix) in the abrasive wear resistance of laser-clad NiCrBSi coatings has been estimated. Different wear mechanisms have been identified and, accordingly, different levels of coatings wear resistance have been achieved depending on the ratio between the hardness of the strengthening phases (carbides, borides, carboborides) and abrasive particles.     

High temperature wear of cermet particle reinforced NiCrBSi hardfacings

The aim of the current study was to investigate erosive and impact/abrasive wear behaviour of TiC–NiMo and Cr₃C₂–Ni reinforced NiCrBSi hardfacings at temperatures up to 700 °C.Coatings were produced using plasma transferred arc cladding process. It was shown that the high temperature wear behaviour of TiC–NiMo and Cr₃C₂–Ni NiCrBSi hardfacings is influenced by oxidation. The formation of mechanical mixed layers and oxide films was observed for both investigated coatings. TiC–NiMo and Cr₃C₂–Ni reinforced hardfacings show high wear resistance at all testing temperatures for both impact/abrasion and erosion conditions.     

Effects of CeO2 on friction and wear characteristics of Fe–Ni–Cr alloy coatings

The effects of rare earth oxide CeO₂ on the microstructure and wear resistance of thermal sprayed Fe–Ni–Cr alloy coatings were investigated. The powders of Fe–Ni–Cr alloy with the addition of CeO₂ were flame sprayed on to a 1045 carbon steel substrate. The coatings were examined and tested for microstructure feature, compositions, and phase structure. Tribological properties of coatings were tested under reciprocating sliding test. The results were compared with those for coatings of the alloy without CeO₂. The comparison indicated that the addition of rare earth oxide CeO₂ could refine and purify the microstructure of coatings, and increase the microhardness of the coatings. As a result, by CeO₂ addition, the friction coefficient of the coatings was decreased slightly and the wear resistance of the coatings was enhanced significantly.     

Cr2N/CrN multilayer coatings for wood machining tools

The present paper describes results from a recent research project aimed at forming a wear resistant coating based on chromium on tools to wood machining. Cr₂N/CrN multilayer coatings deposited on HS6-5-2 steel substrates using cathodic arc evaporation were tested. These coatings were formed from 7 bilayers being ca. 340 nm thick and equally thick Cr₂N and CrN layers. For comparison, Cr₂N and CrN monolayer coatings were also prepared. Hardness measurements, indentation and scratch tests, friction and wear were performed to characterize the mechanical properties. The wear tracks and Rockwell indentations enable to assess wear mechanisms of the coatings. The results of the Cr₂N/CrN coatings investigated show high hardness: ca. about 22 GPa and a critical force being higher than 95 N and a low wear rate.The industrial tests of planer knives with Cr₂N/CrN multilayer coatings were carried out on a down-spindle milling machine to determine the durability of tools with wear resistant coatings for woodworking. These tools show increase of “life time” two times. Another positive feature of the use of such tools is the increase of the quality of wood surface machined when compared with uncoated tools.     

Comparison of wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Al2O3 coatings with and without laser treatment

This paper studies experimentally the effects of CO₂ laser-treatment on the wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃ coatings, in linear contact sliding (dry, abrasive and lubricated) against SAE 4620 steel. Tests were carried out using a block-on-ring friction and wear tester, under different loads at different speeds. The wear mechanism and the changes in adherence, porosity and microstructure by laser treatment were also investigated. Results show a better wear behaviour for both laser-treated ceramic coating and its paired steel under dry and abrasive conditions, compared with the case without laser treatment. The lubricated wear behaviour of the laser-treated ceramic coating, however, is not improved. The changes in microhardness, porosity and adherence caused by the laser treatment are responsible for the change in wear behaviour of the ceramic coating.     

Microstructure and tribological characteristics of ZrO2–Y2O3 ceramic coatings deposited by laser-assisted plasma hybrid spraying

ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ ceramic coatings were deposited on AISI 304 stainless steel by both a low-pressure plasma spraying (LPPS) and a laser-assisted plasma hybrid spraying (LPHS). Microstructure and tribological characteristics of ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ coatings were studied using an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and an SRV high-temperature friction and wear tester. The LPHS coatings exhibit distinctly reduced porosity, uniform microstructure, high hardness and highly adhesive bonding, although more microcracks and even vertical macrocracks seem to be caused in the LPHS coatings. The ZrO₂ lamellae in the LPHS coatings before and after 800°C wear test consist mainly of the metastable tetragonal (t′) phase of ZrO₂ together with small amount of c phase. The t′ phase is very stable when it is exposed to the wear test at elevated temperatures up to 800°C for 1 h. The friction and wear of the LPHS coatings shows a strong dependence on temperature, changing from a low to a high wear regime with the increase of temperature. At low temperatures, friction and wear of the LPHS coatings is improved by laser irradiation because of the reduced connected pores and high hardness in contrary to the LPPS coating. However, at elevated temperatures, the friction and wear of the LPHS coatings is not reduced by laser irradiation. At room temperature, mild scratching and plastic deformation of the LPHS coatings are the main failure mechanism. However, surface fatigue, microcrack propagation, and localized spallation featured by intersplat fracture, crumbling and pulling-out of ZrO₂ splats become more dominated at elevated temperatures.     

Microstructure and tribological properties of laser clad γ/Cr7C3/TiC composite coatings on γ-TiAl intermetallic alloy

In order to improve the wear resistance of the γ-TiAl intermetallic alloy, microstructure, room- and high-temperature (600 °C) wear behaviors of laser clad γ/Cr₇C₃/TiC composite coatings with different constitution of NiCr–Cr₃C₂ precursor-mixed powders have been investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), block-on-ring (room-temperature) and pin-on-disk (high-temperature) wear tests. The responding wear mechanisms are discussed in detail. Results show that microstructures of the laser clad composite coatings have non-equilibrium solidified microstructures consisting of primary hard Cr₇C₃ and TiC carbides and the inter-primary γ/Cr₇C₃ eutectic matrix, about three to five times higher average microhardness compared with the TiAl alloy substrate. Higher wear resistance than the original TiAl alloy is achieved in the clad composite coatings under dry sliding wear conditions, which is closely related to the formation of non-equilibrium solidified reinforced Cr₇C₃ and TiC carbides and the positive contribution of the relatively ductile and tough γ/Cr₇C₃ eutectics matrix and their stability under high-temperature exposure.     

Effect of temperature and load on three-body abrasion of cermets and steel

The effect of temperature and load on three-body abrasion resistance has been examined for stainless steel, Cr₃C₂-Ni cermet, plain WC-Co hardmetal and yttria stabilized zirconia doped WC-based composites. Series of tests at various tribo-conditions were performed on a recently developed device. Coefficient of friction and materials response to abrasive actions have been analyzed and positive effect of zirconia addition on materials wear resistance has been shown. The low wear rates of ZrO₂ containing cermets are due to lower susceptibility of zirconia to transgranular crack propagation, smaller mean free path between ceramic grains and formation of lubricating glazed silica-rich layer.     

Microstructure and Dry-Sliding Wear Behavior of Thermal Sprayed and Fused Ni-Based Coatings with the Addition of La2O3

A Ni-based alloy with 1.5 wt% of La₂O₃ powders was thermal sprayed onto steel substrate. The microstructure and dry sliding wear behavior of the coatings were studied by XRD, field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEGSEM) and SEM analyses. The microstructure of the coating with 1.5 wt% of La₂O₃ differs widely from the coating without La₂O₃; the typical microstructure with 1.5 wt% of La₂O₃ is composed of net-like dendrite (Cr, Fe)₂₃C₆ and Cr₇C₃, cellular-dendrite Fe₂₃(C, B)₆, γ-Ni + Ni₅Si₂ interdendritic lamellar eutectic. Interestingly, significant amounts of net-like (Cr, Fe)₂₃C₆ and Cr₇C₃ hard phases as a wear-resistant skeleton were formed and uniformly dispersed in the coating. Meanwhile, blocky and rod-like hard-phase CrB scattered in the coating can also contribute to improving the wear resistance. The novel microstructure, therefore, is beneficial for wear resistance. Friction and wear tests without lubricant show that the friction coefficients of the coating are less than 0.57. There is an approximately linear relationship between friction coefficients and sliding speed. The wear rate slightly increases with an increase of load, and the wear rate of the coating slightly decreases with sliding speed.