A study on the abrasive and erosive wear behavior of arc-deposited Cr-N-O coatings on tool steel

In this study, the cathodic arc evaporation technique, by using the chromium target and controlling the flow rate of nitrogen/oxygen reactive gases, was utilized to deposit three different Cr-N-O coatings (CrN, CrN/Cr(N,O), CrN/Cr₂O₃) on AISI M2 tool steel. Two types of wear tests were applied to evaluate the abrasive and erosive wear behavior of the coated and uncoated specimens. One was the ball-on-disk abrasion test to measure the friction coefficient of these specimens. The other was the erosion test using Al₂O₃ particles (~ 177 µm in size and Mohr 7 scale) of about 5 g, and then the surface morphologies of the eroded specimens were observed. To further understand the coating effects on the two wear behaviors of M2 steel, coating structure, morphology, and adhesion were analyzed using XRD, SEM, and TEM, respectively. The results showed that surface roughness and adhesion of the double-layered coatings (CrN/Cr(N,O) and CrN/Cr₂O₃) were inferior to those of monolithic CrN, but their hardness and elastic modulus were superior to those of CrN. In the abrasive behavior, Cr-N-O coatings reduced the friction coefficient of M2 substrate. In particular, the CrN/Cr₂O₃ has the highest hardness/elastic (H/E) modulus ration, therefore the lowest friction coefficient, among all the coated-specimens tested. In the erosive behavior, the coated specimens exhibited better erosion resistance as compared to the uncoated ones, at the impingement angles of either 30^o or 90^o. Moreover, the erosion resistance of CrN/Cr(N,O) coatings was superior to that of CrN/Cr₂O₃ coatings due to its better adhesion.     

Erosive and abrasive wear resistance of overlay coatings

In the paper, the erosion and abrasion resistance of PTA, TIG and flame deposited coatings was investigated. Hardness of coatings has almost no effect on erosion resistance and incubation period. Microstructure of coatings has significant effect on erosive wear of coatings. No significant correlation was found between results of abrasive and erosive tests. Statistically significant correlation was found between erosive wear intensities determined in tests carried out at similar angles, the total content of B and C correlates with mass loss in abrasion test and erosive wear intensity at normal incidence. Laboratory tests with model abrasives cannot be used as a guide for material selection in industry.     

Effects of low-temperature duplex coatings on the abrasive and erosive behavior of ADI

This study utilized electroless nickel (EN) and cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) technologies, which have the well-known advantage of low processing temperature (EN = 90 °C and CAE = 230 °C), to treat the austempered ductile iron (ADI) substrate. The eligibility of applying the EN and CAE-CrTiAlN duplex coatings on ADI, along with the coating properties, such as structure, roughness, and adhesion, was evaluated and analyzed. Wear and erosive tests were also performed to further understand the effects of the coatings on the abrasive and erosive behaviors of ADI. The results show that the unique microstructure of ADI does not deteriorate after EN and CAE treatments. With regard to erosion resistance, the duplex coated specimens perform better than do the uncoated and monolithic EN or CrTiAlN coated ones. Moreover, the duplex coatings achieve a remarkable reduction in ADI's friction coefficient from 0.85 to 0.6.     

Effect of fracture toughness on abrasive wear resistance of steels

Various abrasive wear mechanisms were reviewed and an abrasive wear modeling experiment is assessed. Abrasive wear resistance of non-heat treated and heat treated steels has been determined by using a pin-abrasion machine with five abrasive papers, which grinds on a small pin of test materials. The mass loss of test material during abrasive wear was determined gravimetrically. A correlation between abrasive wear resistance and Mode II fracture toughness of materials was established. The effect of fracture toughness on abrasive wear resistance of steels was outlined.     

A study on sliding and erosive wear behaviour of atmospheric plasma sprayed conventional and nanostructured alumina coatings

Alumina coatings on stainless steel substrate (SS304) were deposited by using atmospheric plasma spray technique with a feed stock of manually granulated and sieved nano Al₂O₃ powder. The hardness, sliding, and erosive wear of the nanostructured alumina coatings (NC) were investigated and compared with that of conventional alumina coatings (CC). Pin-on disc type sliding wear test on the alumina coatings (NC and CC) was performed with load varying from 30 N to 80 N at a sliding speed of 0.5 m/s. Pot type slurry erosion test of the coatings was conducted for different concentrations of Al₂O₃ and a mixture of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ slurry. The microstructural features of both NC and CC of alumina were characterized by using FE-SEM/EDS and SEM analysis to substantiate the failure of coatings due to wear. Wear and erosion resistance of nano alumina coating is better than the conventional alumina coating as observed in the present work. The bimodal structure of NC contributes for the enhanced wear resistance. The high fracture toughness of NC is due to suppression of cracks by partially melted particles in the coatings.     

Control of the damage resistance of nanocomposite TiSiN coatings on steels: Roles of residual stress

Thermal annealing has often been used to reduce residual stress and improve mechanical properties and performance of hard coatings. In this work, nanocomposite TiSiN coatings were engineered onto steel substrates by reactive unbalanced magnetron sputtering. Following deposition, thermal annealing was performed at temperatures up to 900 °C. A marked decrease in residual stress was observed in the coatings with the increase of thermal annealing temperature. To ascertain the role of residual stress in the response of the coatings to contact damage, nanoindentation was used to probe the damage resistance of the coatings and Rockwell-C test used to evaluate their adhesion strength, as a function of thermal annealing temperature. A combination of high damage resistance and good adhesion strength was observed for the coating annealed at an intermediate temperature of 600 °C.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and high stress abrasive wear behavior of air-cooled MnCrB cast steels

Three medium carbon low alloyed MnCrB cast steels containing different Cr contents (0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.2%) were designed and the effect of Cr contents on the microstructure, mechanical properties and high stress abrasive wear behavior of the cast steels after 850 °C air-cooling and 220 °C tempering was studied. The results show that the hardenability of the MnCrB cast steels was excellent. The microstructure of the cast steels with low Cr contents (0.3% or 0.6%) consists of granular bainite and lower bainite/martensite multiphase. With increasing of Cr content, the formability of martensite was improved, the hardness and wear-resistance increased, but the impact toughness decreased in that more bainite was replaced by martensite. The air-cooled MnCrB cast steel containing 0.6% Cr, with granular bainite and lower bainite/martensite multiphase, exhibited excellent combination of strength, hardness, ductility, and impact toughness. In addition, its abrasive wear-resistance was 30% more than that of Hadfield cast steel in the high stress abrasive wear condition. This air-cooled MnCrB cast steel by simple alloying scheme and heat treatment has the advantages of high-performance, low cost, and environmentally friendly. It is a potential advanced wear-resistant cast steel for low- or even medium-impact abrasive conditions.     

Filter effects on the wear and corrosion behaviors of arc deposited (Ti,Al)N coatings for application on cold-work tool steel

In this study, (Ti,Al)N coatings were deposited on Japanese Industrial Standard SKD11 modified cold-work tool steel using a cathodic arc deposition system with and without magnetic filter attachment. Coating morphology and properties such as coating structure, adhesion, hardness, abrasion and corrosion behaviors were analyzed to evaluate the effects of magnetic filter on the coatings. The results showed that magnetic filtering slowed down (Ti,Al)N deposition rate, but it improved component homogeneity, roughness and adhesion of the coatings. Although (Ti,Al)N coated specimens produced with or without filter both showed superior abrasion resistance in service, however, filtered (Ti,Al)N coatings yielded better corrosion protection of the steel than unfiltered ones in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous medium.     

Abrasive wear behaviour of powder flame sprayed coatings on steel substrates

The main purpose of thermal spraying method is to produce wear resistant surfaces. Easy applicability, very low possibility of metallurgical changes and low distortion of coated parts due to low heat transfer to the substrate and salvation of worn parts are some of the practical advantages of this process. In this study, abrasive wear behaviour of powder flame sprayed coatings on steel substrates has been investigated. Coating was carried out onto both hot and cold substrates by using four types of powders. Prior to the wear tests, the coated specimens were machined on a lathe and surface roughness and hardness measurements were carried out on the machined surfaces. Heating the substrates prior to the coating led to the decrease in the hardness of the coating layers. Abrasive wear resistance of flame sprayed coatings was seen to be dependent on the chemical composition and characteristics of coating materials and coating condition.     

Structure and oxidation resistance of plasma sprayed Ni–Si coatings on carbon steel

Ni–Si coatings consisting of mainly NiSi₂ and NiSi were deposited on a carbon steel by air plasma spraying. Isothermal oxidation tests of the carbon steel substrates with the Ni–Si coatings at 500–800 °C have been carried out. The result indicated that a protective SiO₂-based oxide scale was formed on the surface of the coatings after oxidation. On the other hand, during oxidation, phase transformation occurred among the NiSi₂, NiSi and Ni₂Si phases constructing the Ni–Si coatings. This was caused by the extraction of silicon from the silicides and the reformation of silicides at the silcide/Si-blocks interface. Above 700 °C, the outward diffusion of iron and carbon became very fast and consequently decarburization happened at the coating/substrates interface, which induced the formation of pores in the substrates near the interface. In addition, grain boundary oxidation of Cr in the steel substrate was observed above 700 °C.     

Phase, structural and microstructural investigations of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings

The properties and performance of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, i.e. HA) coatings are closely related to their manufacturing process. The objective of the current study is to investigate the phase, structure and microstructure of the coatings and their formation mechanism due to different processing parameters. Hydroxyapatite powders were atmospherically plasma sprayed (APS) using various process parameters. The phase, structure and microstructure of the coatings were investigated and their microhardness measured. Both crystallinity and hydroxyl contents decreased with increasing spray power and stand-off distance (SOD), and increased from the coating interface to the surface. Crystallinity alone cannot reflect coating quality due to the existence of various forms of HA, i.e. unmelted, recrystallized and dehydroxylated, as well as the gradient structures consisting of these forms. Coating microstructure varied from a porous structure to a smooth glassy structure or a typical lamellar structure, and some newly formed nanocrystalline regions were revealed. These effects were associated with the temperature–time experiences of particles, their cooling rates and the heat and hydroxyl accumulation during coating buildup. The coating with highest recrystallization displayed the highest microhardness.     

Effect of fillers on natural rubber/high styrene rubber blends with nano silica: Morphology and wear

The blends of high styrene rubber (HSR) and natural rubber (NR) with nano silica were prepared using a blending technique in presence of different types of carbon black. The effect of filler on morphological and wear characteristics was studied. ISAF (Intermediate Super Abrasion Furnace) type of carbon black have showed a significant effect on optimum cure time, cure rate index and mechanical properties by reacting at the interface between HSR and NR matrix. All the samples show only one melting peak on the DSC curve; this is attributed to the same backbone structure of the matrix and the carbon black reinforcement. The samples containing 30 wt.% of HSR with ISAF type of carbon black has shown maximum heat buildup, lower swelling and lower compression set value. Blends containing ISAF type of carbon black with 30 wt.% of HSR showed high abrasion resistant properties against Du-Pont abrader, DIN abrader and different mining rock surfaces and also is found to be the toughest rubber against all types of rock. Coal is main abrader against the rubber under this study.     

Fatigue effect of WC coatings thermal sprayed by HVOF and laser treated, on medium carbon steel

Tungsten carbide coatings thermal sprayed by High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) could be employed to obtain very hard surfaces and for the recovery of shafts or pieces with worn zones, like bearing supports, retaining rings, and so on. The aim of this study is to analyse the effects of fatigue in the WC thin coatings (about 0.1 mm thick) sprayed by HVOF on medium carbon steel substrate.Rotational bending fatigue tests were carried out with test specimens, having applied the coating over the raw materials (without anchorage layer), and the different resistance to fatigue was analysed on the uncoated material, laser surface hardened samples, the samples with the WC coating thermal sprayed by HVOF and last with the same WC coating treated by laser. Results show the possibility of predicting the fatigue life of materials with this coating and these treatments and the huge differences between them.     

Effect of fillers and nitrile blended PVC on natural rubber/high styrene rubber with nanosilica blends: Morphology and wear

The blends of high styrene rubber (HSR) and natural rubber (NR) with nitrile blended PVC (NVC) and nanosilica are prepared by using a blending technique in presence of different types of carbon black. The effect of filler on morphological and wear characteristics is studied. ISAF type of carbon black have showed a significant effect on optimum cure time, cure rate index and mechanical properties by reacting at the interface between NVC, HSR and NR matrix. All the samples show only one melting peak on the DSC curve; this is attributed to the same backbone structure of the matrix and the carbon black reinforcement. The samples containing 20 wt.% of NVC with ISAF N234 type of carbon black has shown maximum heat buildup and lower compression set value. Blends containing ISAF type of carbon black with 20 wt.% of NVC shows high abrasion resistant properties against Du-Pont abrader, DIN abrader and different mining rock surfaces and also is found to be the toughest rubber against all types of rock. Coal is identified the main abrader against the rubber blends under this study.     

Evaluating strength of thermally sprayed Al2O3 on aluminum

We evaluated the strength of thermally sprayed Al₂O₃ on aluminum. The thermally sprayed Al₂O₃ films were processed using low-pressure plasma spraying. The thickness of the thermally sprayed Al₂O₃ was 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. We arranged a 4-point bending test and a heating test to evaluate the strength of the thermally sprayed Al₂O₃. We also investigated the effect of residual stress on the strength by measuring deformation of the thermally sprayed Al₂O₃ after removing the aluminum substrates. The bending strength was 120 MPa, regardless of thickness. We assumed that the bending strength would be equal to the tensile strength because the thermally sprayed Al₂O₃ films were very thin. A crack was generated at 433 K, regardless of thickness. The thermal stress was 160 MPa when the crack was generated. It was 40 MPa higher than we estimated. We found that the residual stress was compression stress that measured 40 MPa, which contributed to the prevention of the crack generation. We presume that the tensile strength was lower than the thermal stress because the residual stress was reduced by stress-relaxing of the aluminum near the interface in the bending test. The influence of heat-resisting strength is dominant over residual stress. Therefore, strength design should take into account residual stress.     

The effect of superalloy substrate on the behaviour of high-purity low-density air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings

Abstract

Several superalloy-bond coat couples were prepared without ceramic topcoat layers to better understand the effects of superalloy substrate on the oxidation behaviour of NiCoCrAlY bond coats. The same composition NiCoCrAlY bond coats were deposited on three superalloy substrates (Inconel 718, Haynes 188 and Rene’ N5) via argon-shrouded plasma spraying. The specimens were exposed to cyclic oxidation in laboratory air at 1100°C in a bottom loading furnace. Scaling behaviour and rate of aluminum depletion were compared between the various specimens. The bond coats on all three superalloys experienced some form of chemical failure after an extended number of cycles. The number of cycles until chemical failure was shortest for the IN718 specimen followed by the HA188 specimen, both of which experienced complete bond coat chemical failure, and then the Rene’ N5 specimen, which experienced localized chemical failure. The cycles to chemical failure coincide with the cycles to thermal barrier coating (TBC) spallation from previous work, indicating chemical failure of the bond coat is a critical event in the lifetime of TBCs. The effect of bond coat surface finish and porosity on the scaling behaviour has been investigated using specimens with the same superalloy substrate but with different bond coat surface finishes and porosity levels which were produced by utilizing two separate sized starting bond coat metallic powders. Bond coats with minimal porosity and smooth surface finishes did not experience chemical failure, at least in the time frame they were tested; however, oxide scale spallation was more apparent in the smooth bond coats as compared to the specimens with the rough surface finishes and high levels of porosity.     

Effect of aging on the abrasive wear properties of AlMgSi1 alloy

In this paper, the wear performance of the aged AlMgSi1 alloy was investigated. Great improvements in mechanical properties of Al alloys can be achieved by suitable solution treatment and aging operations. A pin-on-disk wear machine was designed and developed for abrasive wear tests. The wear resistance was evaluated using a pin-on-disk wear testing method with a SiC abrasive paper counterface. The variation of wear volume is presented as a function of applied normal load, abrasive grit size and sliding distance for running speed. Mass losses were measured within a load range of 6.45–11 N, a sliding velocity range of 0.078–0.338 m/s and abrasive grit size of 5–30 μm. The effects of different sliding speeds and loads on wear resistance and surface roughness were also examined. It was measured amounts of mass loss and examined worn surfaces. Metal microscope was used to study the microstructures of the wear scars. Natural aged specimen observed maximum wear resistance.     

Investigation of the thermal stability of hard coatings by Modulated Temperature Dilatometry

Thermal stability of the hard coatings produced by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) technique was investigated by conventional and Modulated Temperature Dilatometry (MT DIL). The state of stresses in the substrate-coating system was monitored by measuring the linear deformation of the specimen using a Linear Variable Displacement Transducer (LVDT). A temperature of investigations was changed between room temperature and maximum 800 °C. It has been confirmed that the measurement resolution relevant to the expected values of the deformation was possible to obtain only with the use of temperature modulation. A significant influence of thin film coating deposition process parameters on the dilatometric response of studied specimens is presented and discussed.     

Friction and wear properties of TiCN coatings sliding against SiC and steel balls in air and water

The TiCN coatings were deposited on WC cemented carbides using enhanced cathodic arc magnetron sputtering. The topography of TiCN coatings were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the composition and structure of TiCN coatings were analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The friction and wear properties of TiCN coatings sliding against SiC and steel balls in air and water were investigated using ball-on-disk tribometer. The results showed that the TiCN coatings had a strong (111) preferred orientation. The friction coefficient and the specific wear rates of the TiCN/SiC tribopairs in air were higher than those in water. When the TiCN coatings slid against SiC balls in water, the friction coefficient and the specific wear rates first decreased, and then increased with the normal load, but decreased linearly with the sliding velocity. The lowest friction coefficient of 0.171 was obtained at 3 N and 0.4 m/s, while the lowest specific wear rate of the TiCN coatings was 2.3 × 10^− 6mm³/Nm at 6 N and 0.1 m/s. The TiCN coatings were worn out when the normal loads were higher than 6 N. When the TiCN coatings slid against the SUJ2 and SUS440C balls in water, the friction coefficient increased to 0.271 and 1.026 respectively. The EDS analysis showed that Fe and O elements existed on the wear track. This indicated that the tribochemical reaction occurred at the friction contact area.