Herstellung und Untersuchung des Verschleißverhaltens von induktiv eingeschmolzenen Hardpaint‐Schutzschichten

Friction and wear processes generate significant economic damage annually in industrial production due to maintenance and repair costs as well as loss associated with production downtime. Wear‐resistant coatings are a measure for reducing wear. In this context, the novel hardpaint technology for coating of parts with a fusible metal powder composition is described. Components with complex geometries as well holes or undercuts can be coated easily and inexpensively. Two protective layers are discussed and characterized in terms of their microstructure. Density measurements, hardness tests and scanning electron microscopic investigations were carried out. Both powder layers were inductively melted after application and are based on a hard alloy (iron‐based) commonly used for plasma transferred arc powder surfacing. Abrasion wear resistance is evaluated based on the results of the wear tests and microstructural investigations. Furthermore the results are discussed in comparison to a martensitic fine‐grain steel (Hardox 450), which is commonly used in abrasively stressed areas. Compared to Hardox 450 both hardpaint coatings have a much more wear‐resistant behavior due to their hard phases. In addition, it was confirmed that the hardpaint technology is able to embed thermally sensitive fused tungsten carbides which are significantly increasing the wear resistance against abrasion.