Structural and tribological properties of wear resistant coatings obtained by electrospark deposition

Abstract

In the present work, a new type of wear-resistant coatings obtained on steels by non-contact Electrical Spark Deposition (ESD), using a rotating electrode has been studied. Multicomponent electrodes for ESD containing WC-Co, Ni-Cr-B-Si semi-self-fluxing alloys and additives of superhard and refractory compounds of B4C and TiB2 have been obtained by the methods of mechanochemistry and powder metallurgy. The phase composition, microhardness and structural peculiarities of the coatings have been studied using methods of XRD, optical microscopy and SEM. The influence of the electrode composition and parameters of the deposition process on the structure, roughness, thickness, and abrasion wear of coatings have been studied. Tribological properties and wear resistance characteristics of coatings have also been examined. Coatings obtained using examined electrodes show higher friction and abrasion wear resistance than that obtained by conventionally used materials.