Structure and properties of ceramic coatings formed on aluminum alloys by microarc oxidation

The thick and hard ceramic coatings were deposited on 2024 AI alloy by microarc oxidation in the electrolytic solution. Microstructure, phase composition and wear resistance of the oxide coatings were investigated by SEM, XRD and friction and wear tester. The microhardness and thickness of the oxide coatings were measured. The results show that the ceramic coating is mainly composed of α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3. During oxidation, the temperature in the microarc discharge channel is very high to make the local coating molten. From the surface to interior of the coating, microhardness increases gradually. The microhardness of the ceramic coating is HV 1 800, and the microarc oxidation coatings greatly improve the antiwear properties of aluminum alloys.     

Microstructure and properties of Al2O3-13%TiO2 coatings sprayed using nanostructured powders

The microstructure and wear performance of M203-13% TiO2 coatings prepared by plasma spraying of agglom- erated nanoparticle powders were investigated. SEM analysis showed that the as-sprayed Al2O3-TiO2 coatings comprise of two kinds of typical region： fully melted region and unmelted/partially melted nanostructured region, which is different than the conventional coating with lamellar structure. It is shown that the microhardness of the nanostructured coatings was about 15%-30% higher than that of the conventional coating and the wear resistance is significantly improved, especially under a high wear load. The nanostructured coating sprayed at a lower power shows a lower wear resistance than the coatings produced at a higher power, because of the presence of pores and microstructural defects which are detrimental to the fracture toughness of the coatings.     

Fabrication of conventional and nanostructured NiCrC coatings via HVAF technique

The conventional and nanostructured NiCrC （with chemical composition of 80%NiCr-20%CrC） coatings with high quality were fabricated via high velocity air-fuel（HVAF） spraying technique. The microstructures of these coatings were characterized by means of metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. A Vickers microhardness tester was used to determine the mechanical properties of the as-sprayed coatings. The single-line approximation（SLA） method was employed to calculate the grain size and microstrain of as-sprayed nanostructured coating based on the XRD data. The results show that nanostructured NiCrC coating possesses a more uniform and denser microstructure, much higher microhardness and better fracture toughness than its conventional counterpart. Both TEM observation and calculation results based on XRD profile show that as-sprayed nanostructured NiCrC coating has a homogeneous nanocrystalline microstructure with an average grain size of 40 nm.     

Evolution behavior of phase and performance in Ni-based coating layer based on high temperature thermal field

Effect of post-welding heat treatment on the microstructure and properties of BNi-2 brazing coating was analyzed. The phase transformation in the heat treatment process was analyzed by high temperature metallographic microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, and the microhardness after the post heat treatment was tested by microhardness tester. The results show that the microstructure of brazing BNi-2 brazing coating is mainly CrB phase, Ni solid solution phase and eutectic...     

Laser Surface Remelting of Fe-based Alloy Coating Deposited by APS

The Fe-based amorphous alloy coatings with different porosities were deposited on Q235 steel substrates by means of atmospheric plasma spraying(APS).The as-sprayed coatings were remelted by the facility of a Nd:YAG laser to further enhance their compactness and bonding strength via orthogonal experiment design.The effects of laser remelting on the microstructure,phase compositions and mechanical properties of the as-sprayed coatings were investigated by optical microscopy,scanning electron microscope,X-ray diffraction and Vickers microhardness tester.The corrosion performance of the coatings was evaluated by both potential dynamic measurements(PDM)and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)in a 10%NaOH solution.The results indicate that laser power of 700 W,scanning velocity of 4 mm/s,beam size of 3 mm and porosity of 1.19%are the optimized remelting process parameters.The laser-remelted coatings exhibite more homogenous structure as strong metallurgical bonding to substrates.The amorphous phases in the as-sprayed coatings crystallize toα-Fe,Fe2Si,Fe3.5B,and Fe2W phases for the high temperature and rapid solidification in the remelting process.The microhardness values of as-sprayed are in the range of 700-800 HV0.1,while the microhardness values of the remelted coatings are enhanced slightly to 750-850 HV0.1.Both PDM and EIS analysis results show that the remelted coatings exhibite relatively excellent corrosion resistance compared with the stainless steel 1Cr18Ni9Ti,however the corrosion resistance of the remelted coatings is inferior to the as-sprayed amorphous coatings.     

Microstructure and Tribological Behavior of Cr-Cu-N Coatings Deposited by Ion Beam Assisted Magnetron Sputtering

Cr-Cu-N coatings with copper content from 0 at%to 6.8 at%were deposited on silicon and M2 steel by ion beam assisted magnetron sputtering.The microstructure and composition of the coatings were characterized using SEM,GDOES,XRD and XPS.The mechanical properties of the coatings were tested on a standard hardness tester.The tribological behavior of the coatings in dry wear condition was studied by means of ball-on-disc wear test.The experimental results show that addition of copper can restrict the columnar crystal growing to a certain degree.XRD and XPS analysis indicate that coatings are mainly composed of Cr and CrN phase.Cu is mainly existed in a free state in the coatings.Copper adding has no obvious effects on the hardness of the coatings.However,the coatings fracture toughness can be improved by doped copper.The coefficient of friction of the coatings against bearing steel is in the range of 0.25-0.6 changing with the copper content.The coating with 2.6 at%copper shows the lowest coefficient of friction about 0.25 and wear rate which is about one tenth of that of the coating with 6.8 at%copper.The higher coefficient of friction and wear rate of the coating with 6.8at%copper may be attributed to its lower bonding strength.     

Amorphization of Fe38Ni30Si16B14V2 surface layers by laser cladding

Fe38Ni30Si16B14V2 amorphous composite coatings were fabricated by laser cladding on AISI 1045 steel in order to increase the wear resistance. The phase and microstructure of the coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The wear properties of the coatings were also investigated by means of sliding wear test. The results show that the coating consists of amorphous phase in majority and nanocrystalline phase in minority. The amorphous coatings can be obtained while the scanning speed is 3 500 mm/min and the laser power is 4.8 kW. With increase of the laser power, the amorphous phase in the coating increases when it is lower than 4.8 kW. A gradient distribution of the microhardness ranges from Hv0.2 1 208 to Hv0.2 891 in the coating from top surface of the coating to the substrate. The amorphous coating is found to possess better property of wear than AISI 1045 steel substrate.     

Effect of vacuum heat treatment on microstructure and microhardness of cold sprayed Cu-4Cr-2Nb alloy coating

The effect of vacuum heat treatment on the microstructure and microhardness of cold-sprayed Cu-4%Cr-2%Nb alloy coating was investigated. The heat treatment was conducted under the temperatures from 250 ℃ to 950 ℃ with a step of 100 ℃ for 2 h. It was found that a dense thick Cu-4Cr-2Nb coating could be formed by cold spraying. After heat treatment, a Cr2Nb phase was uniformly distributed in the matrix, which was transferred from the gas-atomized feedstock. A little grain growth of Cr2Nb phase was observed accompanying with the healing-up of the incomplete interfaces between the deposited particles at the elevated temperatures. The coating microhardness increases a little with increasing the temperature to 350 ℃, and then decreases with further increasing temperature up to 950 ℃. This fact can be attributed to the microstructure evolution during the heat treatment.     

Tribological Performance of TiB2-Ni Composite Coating Deposited by APS

TiB2-Ni composite powders were prepared by pressurized hydrogen reduction cladding with different proportion of TiB2.The coatings were then prepared by APS.The microstructures and the phase composition of the powders as well as the deposited coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The coatings were tested using a ring-on-disc tribometer from ambient temperature to 300°C.A sprayed Cr3C2-NiCr coating was tested as a reference.The morphologies of the worn surface of the coatings were observed and analyzed.It is found that the TiB2-Ni composite coatings present higher friction coefficient than that of the Cr3C2-NiCr coating at room temperature due to the adhesive wear mechanism,whereas the main wear mechanism of Cr3C2-NiCr coating is rupture and exfoliation.However,at high temperature,the friction coefficient of the TiB2-Ni composite coating decreases as a result of B2O3 solid lubricant,which alleviates the adhesive wear on coatings.Furthermore,the TiB2-Ni composite coating greatly reduces the mass loss of the boron cast iron.     

Effects of Cr interlayer on mechanical and tribological properties of Cr-Al-Si-N nanocomposite coating

Cr-Al-Si-N coatings were deposited on SUS 304 substrate by a hybrid coating system. A Cr interlayer was introduced between Cr-Al-Si-N coating and SUS 304 substrate to improve the coating adherence. The effects of Cr interlayer on the microhardness, adhesion, and tribological behavior of Cr-Al-Si-N coatings were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the microhardness of the Cr-Al-Si-N coatings gradually deceases with increasing thickness of Cr interlayers. The adhesion between Cr-Al-Si-N and SUS 304 substrate is improved by addition of the Cr interlayers. A peak critical load of ~50 N is observed for the coating containing Cr interlayer of 60 nm as compared ~ 20 N for the coating without Cr interlayer. The thicker Cr interlayers result in reduced critical load values. Moreover, the wear resistance of the Cr-Al-Si-N coatings is greatly enhanced by introducing the Cr interlayer with thickness of 60 nm in spite of the decreased microhardness. The friction coefficient of the coating system is also moderately reduced.     

Wear and corrosion resistance of laser remelted and plasma sprayed Ni and Cr coatings on copper

Nickel and chromium coatings were produced on the copper sheet using plasma spraying and laser remelting. The sliding wear test was achieved on a block-on-ring tester and the corrosion test was carried out in an acidic atmosphere. The corrosive behaviors of both coatings and original copper samples were investigated by using an impedance comparison method. The experimental results show that the nickel and chromium coatings display better wear resistance and corrosion resistance relative to the original pure copper sample. The wear resistance of the coatings is 8 - 12 times as large as original samples, and the wear resistance of laser remelted samples is better than that of plasma sprayed ones. The corrosion resistance of laser remelted nickel and chromium samples is better than that of plasma sprayed samples respectively. The corrosion rate of chromium coatings is less than that of nickel coatings, and the laser remelted Cr coating exhibits the least corrosion rate.     

Investigation of improving wear performance of hypereutectic 15%Cr-2%Mo white irons

This study aimed at optimizing impact toughness and abrasion wear resistance of 15%Cr-2%Mo hypereutectic abrasion-resistant white irons. The effects of dynamic solidification, niobium addition, combined action of them and heat treatment have been investigated. Investigations were performed by means of the image analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. Impact toughness and abrasion wear resistance tests were conducted. Fracture and worn surfaces were studied. Results indicated that microstructural control during solidifciation is the most valuable tool to attain the optimum combination between impact toughness and wear resistance in hypereutectic iron. Combined action of Nb addition and dynamic solidifciation improves impact toughness and wear resistance even more than the action of each individual factor. In the as-cast condition, impact toughness and abrasion resistance were increased after dynamic solidification compared to statically solidified one by 71.4% and 10%, respectively. This enhancement was increased to 114.3 % and 28.8 % by adding 2% Nb. Lower tempering temperature of 260°C exhibits better impact and abrasion resistance than the sub-critical tempering temperature of 500°C.     

Synthesis and Erosion Behaviors of Nanoscale Coatings Prepared by Wire Arc Spraying

The effects of erosive parameters,such as impact angles and environment temperature,on erosion properties of FeBSiCrMnNb nanoscale coatings were investigated.A series of coatings were prepared by wire arc spraying process.The microstructure of the coating consists of amorphous andα(Fe,Cr)nanocrystalline phase.The nanocrystals with average size of 39 nm are homogenously dispersed in amorphous matrix.The erosion results reveal that the coating exhibits better erosion resistance at lower impact angle.The erosion rates of the coating decrease as function of environment temperature.The relatively erosion resistance of the nanoscale coating is 3.7 times higher than that of AISI1045 steel substrate at 650°C.The main failure mechanism of the coating is brittle fracture.     

Wear and corrosion properties of laser cladded Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8/SiC amorphous composite coatings on AZ91D magnesium alloy

To improve the wear and corrosion properties of AZ91D magnesium alloys, Cu-based amorphous composite coatings were fabricated on AZ91D magnesium alloy by laser cladding using mixed powders of Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 and SiC. The wear and corrosion behaviours of the coatings were investigated. The wear resistance of the coatings was evaluated under dry sliding wear condition at room temperature. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was tested in 3.5% （mass fraction） NaCl solution. The coatings exhibit excellent wear resistance due to the recombined action of amorphous phase and different intermetallic compounds. The main wear mechanisms of the coatings and the AZ91D sample are different. The former is abrasive wear and the latter is adhesive wear. The coatings compared with AZ91D magnesium alloy also exhibit good corrosion resistance because of the presence of the amorphous phase in the coatings.     

High-temperature tribological properties of Ni-P alloy coatings deposited by electro-brush plating

High-temperature tribological properties of Ni-P alloy coatings processed by electro-brush plating on 20CrMo steel have been investigated. A ball-on-disc configuration was employed and 4 mm diameter Si3N4 balls were used as static counterpart. All the wear tests were carried out at 450°C for 180 min without lubricants. The electro-brush plating Ni-P coating is amorphous in as-deposited condition, and it becomes polycrystalline with the formation of Ni and Ni3P after heat treatment at 450°C for 1 h. The friction coefficient of the Ni-P coating is just 50% of that of the 20CrMo steel at the friction temperature of 450°C. A mild adhesive wear mechanism was found for the electro-brush plating Ni-P coating tested at 450°C, whereas for the 20CrMo steel at the same temperature a mixed adhesive and abrasive wear mechanism was observed.     

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Behaviourof Deep-Cryogenic-Treated HSS

In this paper we compare the wear behaviour of a vacuum-heat-treated ESR AISI M2 high-speed steel and the same steel that was vacuum heat treated in conjunction with a deep-cryogenic treatment at -196 ~C. Four different tempering temperatures for the specimens austenized at the same austenitizing temperature were carefully selected to obtain various in-advance-determined combinations of the microstructures, the fracture toughness, Kic and the Rockwell-C hardness. Each of the eight specimens was therefore characterised by these microstructures and resulting material properties.The wear study was performed using a reciprocating sliding device under well-controlled contact conditions. Relatively high loads were used to provide enough wear for a comparison of the selected samples. A much harder and dissimilar model counter-material, i.e. silicon nitride ceramic, was used in order to avoid excessive wear of the counter samples and adhesion,which could occur in contacts with similar materials (metals/steels) under such high loads and in non-lubricated conditions.The wear behaviours were then compared and discussed in terms of these microstructures and the related properties. The differences in the wear resistance obtained in our investigation were as high as an order of magnitude. However, the beneficial effects are not a direct result of the type of the treatment, but relate to a proper combination of the resulting fracture toughness and the hardness. The more uniform and moderate values, which, however, tend to be obtained with a deep-cryogenic treatment, are beneficial to the high wear resistance of the selected high-speed steel.     

Preparation and tribological behavior of electrodeposited Ni-W-GO composite coatings

Ni-W-GO composite coatings were successfully plated on 45# steel substrate by co-electrodeposition technique in a Ni-W electrolyte solution,with different contents of graphene oxide(GO)nanoparticles in suspension.The structure,phase composition and surface morphology of as-plated composite coatings were characterized by Raman,X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)attached with energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS),respectively.The hardness and tribological behavior of the present coatings were also evaluated by Vickers Hardness tester and high-speed reciprocating friction and wear tester,and the wear mechanism was discussed as well.The results show that layer-structured GO nanoparticles significantly affect the microstructure and grain size of the Ni-W-GO composite coatings.Meanwhile,GO nanoparticles embedded in NiW-GO coatings can obviously improve the hardness and wear resistance in comparison with the corresponding NiW coatings.The highest microhardness and wear resistance of Ni-W-GO composite coatings are obtained with 0.15 g·L~(-1)GO employing.     

Influence of heat treatment on nanocrystalline zirconia powder and plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings

Nanostructured zirconia top coat was deposited by air plasma spray and NiCoCrAlTaY bond coat was deposited on Ni substrate by low pressure plasma spray.Nanostructured and conventional thermal barrier coatings were heat-treated at temperature varying from 1050 to 1 250oC for 2-20 h.The results show that obvious grain growth was found in both nanostructured and conventional thermal barrier coatings(TBCs)after high temperature heat treatment.Monoclinic/tetragonal phases were transformed into cubic phase in the agglomerated nano-powder after calcination.The cubic phase content increased with increasing calcination temperature.Calcination of the powder made the yttria distributed on the surface of the nanocrystalline particles dissolve in zirconia when grains grew.Different from the phase constituent of the as-sprayed conventional TBC which consisted of diffusionlesstransformed tetragonal,the as-sprayed nanostructured TBC consisted of cubic phase.     

CATHODIC PROCESS AND WEAR RESISTANCE OF ELECTRO-DEPOSITED RE-Ni-W-P-SiC COMPOSITE COATING

Cathodic deposition current density of the composite coatings increases when SiC par-ticles and rare earth (RE) were added in the bath, which is profitable for Ni- W-P alloy to deposit in the cathod, forming Ni-W-P-SiC and RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coatings. On the contrary, the addition of PTFE in the bath decreases cathodic deposition current density of the coatings. The current density increases a little when the amount of RE isγ-9g/l; however, the current density increases greatly when the amount of RE is increased to 11-13g/l. But if the amount of RE is raised further, the current density decreases. Hardness and wear resistance of RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating have been studied, and the results show that the hardness and wear resistance of RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating increase with increasing heat treatment tempera-ture, which reach peak values at 400℃; while the hardness and wear resistance of the coating decrease with the rise of heat treated temperature continuously.     

Wear resistance of Zr/WC composite coatings on Cr12MoV steel surface by electric spark deposition

Zr/WC composite coating was prepared on the surface of Cr12MoV steel by electric spark deposition technology to change its surface properties. The surface and worn surface morphology of the coating were observed using scanning electron microscope. Dry friction and wear tests of the coatings were carried out at room temperature. The results show that the coating is continuous and uniform, and the thickness was about 50-60 μm. The microhardness of the coating surface was highest at 1140 HV_(200g), which was significantly higher than that of the substrate. The ear tests results show that the wear weight loss, wear volume and wear rate follow the following rules: Cr12MoVWC coating Zr/WC composite coating.