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The Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of HVOF-Sprayed WC: Metal Composite Coatings

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Abstract

WC-based cermet coatings containing various metallic binders such as Ni, Co, and Cr are known for their superior tribological properties, particularly abrasion resistance and enhanced surface hardness. Consequently, these systems are considered as replacements for traditional hard chrome coatings in critical aircraft components such as landing gear. The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a comparative study on the dry sliding wear behavior of three WC-based cermet coatings (WC-12Ni, WC-20Cr2C3-7Ni, and WC-10Co-4Cr), when deposited on carbon steel substrates. Ball on disk wear tests were performed on the coatings using a CSEM Tribometer (pin-on-disk) with a 6-mm ruby ball at 20 N applied load, 0.2 m/s sliding velocity, and sliding distances up to 2000 m. Analysis of both the coating wear track and worn ruby ball was performed using optical microscopy and an Alphastep-250 profilometer. The results of the study revealed both wear of the ruby ball and coated disks allowed for a comparison of both the ball wear and coating wear for the systems considered. Generally, the use of Co and Cr as a binder significantly improved the sliding wear resistance of the coating compared to Ni and/or Cr2C3.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge G. Biddle from the Surface Materials Analysis Research & Training Group, Department of Applied Physics RMIT University for conducting some of the SEM and EDX analysis and assisting with the friction and wear studies. Further acknowledgement is given to the facilities, and the scientific and technical assistance, of the Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility at the RMIT Microscopy & Microanalysis Facility, RMIT University. Additionally, the author would like to acknowledge support provided for part of this overall program by the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE—Grant No. AINGRA04180P).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Liam P. Ward

  2. School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Antony Pilkington

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  1. Liam P. Ward
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  2. Antony Pilkington
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Correspondence to Liam P. Ward.

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Ward, L.P., Pilkington, A. The Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of HVOF-Sprayed WC: Metal Composite Coatings. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 23, 3266–3278 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1122-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1122-5

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