Microstructure and Properties of HVOF-Sprayed WC-(W,Cr)<Subscript>2</Subscript>C-Ni Coatings

The composition WC-(W,Cr)₂C-Ni is one of the standard compositions used for the preparation of thermally sprayed coatings by high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying. Surprisingly, this composition has been poorly investigated in the past. Frequent use of commercial designations WC-‘CrC’-Ni, WC-Cr₃C₂-Ni, and WC-NiCr indicates the insufficient knowledge about the phase compositions of these powders and coatings. The properties of these coatings differ significantly from those of WC-Co and WC-CoCr coatings. In this paper, the results of different series of experiments conducted on HVOF-sprayed WC-(W,Cr)₂C-Ni coatings are compiled and their specific benefits pointed out. The focus of this study is on the analysis of the microstructures and phase compositions of the feedstock powders and coatings. Unlike WC-Co and Cr₃C₂-NiCr, WC-(W,Cr)₂C-Ni is not a simple binary hard phase—binder metal composite. The phase (W,Cr)₂C with unknown physical and mechanical properties appears as a second hard phase, which is inhomogeneously distributed in the feedstock powders and coatings. As examples of coating properties, the oxidation resistance and dry sliding wear properties are compared with those of WC-10%Co-4%Cr coatings.     

Effect of Spray Particle Velocity on Cavitation Erosion Resistance Characteristics of HVOF and HVAF Processed 86WC-10Co4Cr Hydro Turbine Coatings

The hydro plants utilizing silt-laden water for power generation suffer from severe metal wastage due to particle-induced erosion and cavitation. High-velocity oxy-fuel process (HVOF)-based coatings is widely applied to improve the erosion life. The process parameters such as particle velocity, size, powder feed rate, temperature, affect their mechanical properties. The high-velocity air fuel (HVAF) technology, with higher particle velocities and lower spray temperatures, gives dense and substantially nonoxidized coating. In the present study, the cavitation resistance of 86WC-10Co4Cr-type HVOF coating processed at 680 m/s spray particle velocity was compared with HVAF coatings made at 895, 960, and 1010 m/s. The properties such as porosity, hardness, indentation toughness, and cavitation resistance were investigated. The surface damage morphology has been analyzed in SEM. The cohesion between different layers has been examined qualitatively through scratch depth measurements across the cross section. The HVAF coatings have shown a lower porosity, higher hardness, and superior cavitation resistance. Delamination, extensive cracking of the matrix interface, and detachment of the WC grains were observed in HVOF coating. The rate of metal loss is low in HVAF coatings implying that process parameters play a vital role in achieving improved cavitation resistance.     

Wear,erosion and corrosion resistance of HVOF-sprayed WC and Cr3C2 based coatings for electrolytic hard chrome replacement

Thermally sprayed carbide-based coatings are nowadays extensively considered as an alternative to electrolytic hard chrome (EHC) coatings to reduce the environmental impact and the overall cost associated with EHC process. In this investigation, high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spray process was employed to prepare coatings using the traditional carbide powders namely the WC-10Co4Cr, the Cr₃C₂-25NiCr and a new type of mixed carbide powder WC-40Cr₃C₂-25NiCr. The Powder deposition rate, basic mechanical properties, abrasive wear, slurry erosion and corrosion resistance of the three coatings were then compared with the EHC coating. The results show that WC-10Co4Cr coating exhibited the highest hardness, abrasive wear and slurry erosion resistance followed by WC-40Cr₃C₂-25NiCr, EHC, and Cr₃C₂-25NiCr coating. The deposition efficiency of the powders as per hierarchy was found to be WC-40Cr₃C₂-25NiCr > WC-10Co4Cr > Cr₃C₂-25NiCr and all the HVOF sprayed coatings exhibited higher corrosion resistance than EHC coating. The highest powder deposition efficiency coupled with low density, acceptable tribo-corrosion performance, as well as low post processing cost makes the HVOF sprayed WC-40Cr₃C₂-25NiCr coating a potential candidate to replace the EHC coating.     

HVOF thermal spray deposited Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-stabilized ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> coatings for thermal barrier applications

High velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray has been successfully used to deposit yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) for thermal barrier coating (TBC) applications. Adherent coatings were obtained within a limited range of spray conditions using hydrogen as fuel gas. Spray parameters such as hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio, spray distance, and substrate cooling were investigated. Spray distance was found to have a pronounced effect on coating quality; adherent coatings were obtained for spray distances between 75 and 125 mm from the gun exit for the hydrogen-to-oxygen ratios explored. Compared to air plasma spray (APS) deposited YSZ coatings, the HVOF deposited coatings were more fully stabilized in the tetragonal phase, and of similar density, surface roughness, and cross-sectional microhardness. Notably, fracture surfaces of the HVOF coatings revealed a more homogeneous structure. Many theoretical models predict that it should not be possible to melt YSZ in an HVOF flame, and therefore it should not be possible to deposit viable YSZ coatings by this process. The experimental results in the present work clearly contradict those expectations. The present results can be explained by taking into account the effect of partial melting and sintering on particle cohesion, as follows. Combustion chamber pressures (P _o) of ∼3.9 bar (58.8 psi) realized during HVOF gun operation allows adiabatic flame temperature values that are above the zirconia melting temperature. Under these conditions, the Ranz-Marshall heat transfer model predicts HVOF sprayed particle surface temperatures T _p that are high enough for partial melting of small (∼10 μm) zirconia particles, T _p=(1.10−0.95)T _m. Further analysis shows that for larger particles (38 μm), adherent coatings are produced when the particle temperature, T _p=0.59−0.60 T _m, suggesting that sintering may have a role in zirconia particle deposition during HVOF spray. These results suggest two different bonding mechanisms for powders having a broad particle size distribution.     

Effect of Carbide Dissolution on Chlorine Induced High Temperature Corrosion of HVOF and HVAF Sprayed Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NiCrMoNb Coatings

Highly corrosion- and wear-resistant thermally sprayed chromium carbide (Cr₃C₂)-based cermet coatings are nowadays a potential highly durable solution to allow traditional fluidized bed combustors (FBC) to be operated with ecological waste and biomass fuels. However, the heat input of thermal spray causes carbide dissolution in the metal binder. This results in the formation of carbon saturated metastable phases, which can affect the behavior of the materials during exposure. This study analyses the effect of carbide dissolution in the metal matrix of Cr₃C₂-50NiCrMoNb coatings and its effect on chlorine-induced high-temperature corrosion. Four coatings were thermally sprayed with HVAF and HVOF techniques in order to obtain microstructures with increasing amount of carbide dissolution in the metal matrix. The coatings were heat-treated in an inert argon atmosphere to induce secondary carbide precipitation. As-sprayed and heat-treated self-standing coatings were covered with KCl, and their corrosion resistance was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and ordinary high-temperature corrosion test at 550 °C for 4 and 72 h, respectively. High carbon dissolution in the metal matrix appeared to be detrimental against chlorine-induced high-temperature corrosion. The microstructural changes induced by the heat treatment hindered the corrosion onset in the coatings.     

HVAF制备WC?12Co涂层的空蚀和磨损性能研究

采用国际上最新的活性燃烧高速燃气喷涂（AC-HVAF）技术制备出WC-12Co金属陶瓷涂层。涂层的X射线衍射检测表明，涂层制备过程中未出现WC粒子的氧化和脱碳现象，涂层相结构基本保持了喂料粉末状态；对制备涂层进行的旋转圆盘空蚀试验表明，WC-12Co硬质涂层抗泥沙磨损性能出色，磨损量仅为不锈钢的1／10；其耐空蚀性能则相反，不及对比0Cr13Ni5Mo不锈钢；对涂层的空蚀破坏机理做了分析，对沙粒磨损损伤特点做了初步探讨。     

HVAF喷涂WC-12Co涂层的应用研究

WC-12Co涂层的组织结构主要取决于喷涂工艺,采用活化燃烧一超音速火焰喷涂(HVAF)工艺喷涂WC-12Co涂层。结果表明:HVAF涂层孔隙率为0.6%,表面粗糙度为Ra1.5,HVAF过程中,粉末粒子的扁平化程度高,涂层组织结构均匀;HVAF焰流中WC基本不发生分解,涂层韧性好,HVAF涂层平均硬度达到1 400 HV0.3。     

超音速火焰喷涂WC-10Co4Cr涂层的耐滑动磨损行为

采用超音速火焰喷涂(HVOF)工艺制备微米结构WC-10Co4Cr涂层,分别采用金相显微镜、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和滑动磨损设备分析涂层的微观结构和滑动磨损行为。结果表明:采用液体煤油燃料HVOF喷涂的微米结构WC-10Co4Cr涂层的脱碳程度较低,涂层中仅出现WC和W2C相,而无η相(Co3W3C、Co6W6C)以及软相W。涂层微观结构致密,孔隙率约为1%,平均显微硬度为1 322HV0.3;在相同试验条件下,WC-10Co4Cr涂层的摩擦因数(约0.8)高于不锈钢(1Cr18Ni9Ti)的摩擦因数(约0.5),其滑动体积损失量仅为不锈钢涂层的1/146,具有优异的抗滑动磨损性能。涂层在滑动磨损过程中首先是粘结相的脱落,然后是WC颗粒的磨损。     

A comparative study of tribological behavior of plasma and D-gun sprayed coatings under different wear modes

In recent years, thermal sprayed protective coatings have gained widespread acceptance for a variety of industrial applications. A vast majority of these applications involve the use of thermal sprayed coatings to combat wear. While plasma spraying is the most versatile variant of all the thermal spray processes, the detonation gun (D-gun) coatings have been a novelty until recently because of their proprietary nature. The present study is aimed at comparing the tribological behavior of coatings deposited using the two above techniques by focusing on some popular coating materials that are widely adopted for wear resistant applications, namely, WC-12% Co, A1₂O₃, and Cr₃C₂-MCr. To enable a comprehensive comparison of the above indicated thermal spray techniques as well as coating materials, the deposited coatings were extensively characterized employing microstructural evaluation, microhardness measurements, and XRD analysis for phase constitution. The behavior of these coatings under different wear modes was also evaluated by determining their tribological performance when subjected to solid particle erosion tests, rubber wheel sand abrasion tests, and pin-on-disk sliding wear tests. The results from the above tests are discussed here. It is evident that the D-gun sprayed coatings consistently exhibit denser microstructures and higher hardness values than their plasma sprayed counterparts. The D-gun coatings are also found to unfailingly exhibit superior tribological performance superior to the corresponding plasma sprayed coatings in all wear tests. Among all the coating materials studied, D-gun sprayed WC-12%Co, in general, yields the best performance under different modes of wear, whereas plasma sprayed Al₂O₃ shows least wear resistance to every wear mode.     

Corrosion behavior of thermal-sprayed WC cermet coatings in SO4 2− environment

A series of the electrochemical and long-term corrosion tests was carried out in a 3.5 wt% Na2SO4 solution on thermal-sprayed WC-17Co and WC-10Co-4Cr cermet coatings in order to examine the effect of composition of binder materials on the corrosion behavior. The results reveal that the overall corrosion resistance of the WC-17Co coating is inferior to that of the WC–Co–Cr coatings due to the corrosion of binder materials which induce WC particles to fall off. CoO and WO3 oxide films form on the surface of WC-17Co coating in Na2SO4 solution electrochemical corrosion process, which will protect the coating in the process of corrosion. Cr2O3 oxide film formed on the WC-10Co-4Cr coating surface has a strong hindered role to corrosion. The corrosion mechanism of WC-17Co coating in Na2SO4 solution is entire corrosion of Co matrix, while it is film-hole corrosion mechanism for WC-10Co-4Cr coating.     

Dependency of fracture toughness of plasma sprayed Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> coatings on lamellar structure

The fracture toughness of plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃ coatings in terms of critical strain energy release rate G _Ic was investigated using a tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) approach. This approach makes the fracture toughness be measured only using the critical fracture load disregarding crack length during test. The Al₂O₃ coatings were deposited under different spray distances and plasma powers to clarify the effect of spray parameters on the G _Ic of the coatings. The fracture surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope. On the basis of an idealized layer microstructure model for thermal sprayed coatings, the theoretical relationship between the cohesive fracture toughness and microstructure is proposed. The correlation between the calculated fracture toughness and observed value is examined. It was found that the fracture toughness of plasma sprayed Al₂O₃ coatings is not significantly influenced by spray distance up to 110 mm, and further increase in spray distance to 130 mm resulted in large decrease in the fracture toughness of the coatings. The G _Ic value predicted based on the proposed model using lamellar interface mean bonding ratio and the effective surface energy of bulk ceramics agreed well with the observed G _Ic data. Such agreement evidently shows that the fracture toughness of thermally sprayed ceramic coatings at the direction along coating surface is determined by lamellar interface bonding.     

热镀锌沉没辊的耐锌腐蚀失效过程

采用超音速火焰喷涂技术在316L不锈钢基体上制备WC-12Co涂层,并测试其在430℃锌液中的耐腐蚀性,分析沉没辊的腐蚀机理以及失效过程。采用SEM、EDS和XRD分析了腐蚀前、后涂层表面显微结构、化学成分及其相组成的变化。结果表明,WC-12Co粒子之间通过高速碰撞发生强烈的塑性变形而结合在一起,涂层内部致密性很好,喷涂过程中没发生明显氧化现象;涂层的显微硬度平均为1 215HV0.2,结合强度达到85MPa;无涂层试样在腐蚀59h后直径减少20%;经过10天的浸锌试验后,涂层开始产生均匀性腐蚀,涂层中的Co基体受液锌腐蚀生成Co5Zn21化合物,涂层开始遭到破坏;经过15天浸锌试验后,部分锌液穿过涂层与基体中的Fe化合生成FeZn13(即锌渣),涂层局部开始脱落,涂层失效开始。     

超音速火焰喷涂涂层的摩擦磨损性能研究

采用划痕分析和干砂粒/橡胶轮磨损测试,主要研究了超音速火焰喷涂(High-Velocity-Air-Fuel,简称HVAF )WC涂层与Al-Ni-Cu合金的摩擦磨损性能,并且与电镀硬铬的性能进行了对比.结果表明,HVAF WC涂层和Al-Ni-Cu合金都发生微量磨损,而电镀铬层中发生明显的增重,同时导致Al-Ni-Cu合金大量磨损.在与Al-Ni-Cu合金对磨中,HVAF WC涂层的磨损机理为磨粒磨损,而电镀硬铬为粘着磨损.滚动接触疲劳磨损对涂层均有作用.     

3种表面处理对35Cr2Ni4MoA钢耐腐蚀性能的影响

开展3种表面处理对35Cr2Ni4MoA钢耐腐蚀性能的影响研究,采用镀硬铬、表面镀硬铬和封孔防护、高速火焰喷涂WC-10Co-4Cr 涂层等3种方法对35Cr2Ni4MoA钢表面进行处理,经过8个周期的实验室加速腐蚀环境实验,通过对比蚀坑深度、腐蚀面积、单位面积腐蚀坑数量等结果评价3种表面处理对35Cr2Ni4MoA钢耐腐蚀性能的影响。结果表明,相较于镀硬铬,高速火焰喷涂WC-10Co-4Cr涂层、表面镀硬铬和封孔防护2种表面处理对35Cr2Ni4MoA钢耐腐蚀性能的提升效果更明显。     

AC-HVAF喷涂纳米结构WC-12Co耐磨涂层的微观结构和性能

本文采用含纳米WC颗粒的WC-12Co粉末,通过空气助燃超音速火焰喷涂系统（AC-HVAF）制备了耐磨涂层。研究了涂层相组成、微观结构、涂层硬度、断裂韧性和耐磨损性能。X射线衍射分析结果表明WC为涂层主相,未发现其他失碳分解产物。涂层孔隙率低于1%,晶粒尺寸为80-100nm,涂层磨光表面硬度平均值1940.3 HV0.3, 横截面平均硬度高达1662.1 HV0.3。使用WC硬质球为摩擦副,载荷1.5kg,工件转速1198r/min干磨条件下,纳米结构涂层的平均失重比微米结构涂层降低40%,且纳米结构涂层摩擦系数为0.26-0.28（微米结构涂层：0.25-0.4）,因此纳米结构涂层具有更加优异的耐磨性能。     

激光熔覆超音速火焰喷涂陶瓷复合涂层的结构和性能

对YAG激光器产生的矩形激光束及在熔覆超音速火焰喷涂陶瓷复合涂层过程中激光功率对涂层组织和性能的影响进行了研究.采用扫描电镜分析了激光熔覆后的涂层组织结构,比较了采用不同激光输出功率2、3、4kW所得熔覆层的显微硬度和耐磨性能.结果表明:激光熔覆层与基体为冶金结合,熔覆层的硬度较喷涂层的硬度有所提高,并随着激光功率的提高而增加.激光熔覆层的磨损失重远低于喷涂层.     

Influence of the Spray Angle on the Characteristics of Atmospheric Plasma Sprayed Hard Material Based Coatings

This paper presents an investigation of the influence of the spray angle on thermally sprayed coatings. Spray beads were manufactured with different spray angles between 90 and 20° by means of atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) on heat-treated mild steel (1.0503). WC-12Co and Cr₃C₂-10(Ni20Cr) powders were employed as feedstock materials. Every spray bead was characterized by a Gaussian fit. This opens the opportunity to analyze the influence of the spray angle on coating properties. Furthermore, metallographic studies of the surface roughness, porosity, hardness, and morphology were carried out and the deposition efficiency as well as the tensile strength was measured. The thermally sprayed coatings show a clear dependence on the spray angle. A decrease in spray angle changes the thickness, width, and form of the spray beads. The coatings become rougher and their quality decreases.     

Study of structure and corrosion resistance of Fe-based amorphous coatings prepared by HVAF and HVOF

Fe-based amorphous coatings with a composition of Fe_49.7Cr₁₈Mn_1.9Mo_7.4W_1.6B_15.2C_3.8Si_2.4 have been prepared on a mild steel substrate by High velocity air fuel (HVAF) and High velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) processes. The microstructure and corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution of the coatings prepared by the two processes were comparatively studied. It was found that the two coatings exhibit dense structure with the porosity of 0.4% and compact bonding with the substrate. However, HVOF coating contains higher oxygen content than HVAF coating, resulting from the formation of significant oxide contours between the partially melted particles in HVOF process. Electrochemical polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis indicate that the HVAF coating has better corrosion resistance than the HVOF coating. The preferential corrosion along the oxide contours thus providing efficient diffusion channels for electrolyte accounts for the poor corrosion resistance in HVOF coating. The present results demonstrate that HVAF with less cost can be a promising spray process to fabricate the Fe-based amorphous coating for industrial applications.     

粉末原料粒径对WC-17Co涂层性能的影响

本文利用超音速火焰喷涂技术喷涂四种不同粒径的WC-17Co粉末,评价粉末粒径对涂层机械性能和抗磨粒磨损性能的影响。结果表明,粉末的粒径越小,在超音速焰流作用下获得的速度和温度越高,形成的涂层越致密,颗粒间的粘接强度越高,同时涂层的显微硬度也越高。WC-17Co粉末的粒径越小,获得涂层的孔隙直径越小,颗粒间的粘接缺陷越少,因此涂层的抗磨粒磨损性能越好。但是当WC-17Co粉末的粒径过于微小时,涂层的断裂韧性将受到影响。在本文研究的四种粒径分布的WC-17Co粉末中,中间粒径且分布范围集中的粉末制得的涂层兼具良好的机械性能和抗磨粒磨损性能。     

Multiscale Experimental and Numerical Approach to the Powder Particle Shape Effect on Al-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Coating Build-Up

Aluminum (Al) powders with spherical and irregular particle shapes were mixed with two alumina (Al₂O₃) powders with either a spherical or an angular particle shape to achieve high-performance cold-sprayed coatings onto steel. Two effects of the aluminum particle shape were observed. First, coating microstructure observation showed impinging heterogeneity depending on particle shape. Second, particle jet differences depending on particle morphology were shown by velocity maps. From the latter, SEM and XRD, three effects of the alumina particle shape were also shown, i.e., higher in-flight velocity of angular particles, fragmentation of spherical hollow particles and embedding of alumina particles with aluminum. Numerical simulation of particle impacts was developed to study the densification of Al coating due to Al₂O₃ addition through elucidation of Al-Al₂O₃ interaction behavior at the scale of the coating. Al/Al and Al/Al₂O₃ interfaces were investigated using TEM to understand coating strengthening effects due to alumina addition at the scale of the particle. As a whole, Al and Al₂O₃ particle shape effects were claimed to explain coating mechanical properties, e.g., microhardness and coating–substrate bond strength. This study resulted in specifying criteria to help cold spray users in selecting powders for their applications, to meet economic and technical requirements.