Electrospark deposition of ZrB2-TiB2 composite coating on Cu-Cr-Zr alloy electrodes
by Ping Luo; Shijie Dong; Anzhuo Yangli; Shixuan Sun; Zhong Zheng
International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering (IJSURFSE), Vol. 10, No. 1, 2016

Abstract: To improve electrode life during the resistance spot welding of aluminium alloy sheets, a ZrB2-TiB2 composite coating was synthesised on the surfaces of spot-welding electrodes through an electrospark deposition process. The microstructure, elemental composition, phase structure, and mechanical properties of the coating were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and microhardness testing. It was found that extensive cracking occurred in the monolithic ZrB2-TiB2 coating and at the coating-electrode interface. When the ZrB2-TiB2 coating was deposited on electrodes precoated with Ni, the number of defects decreased significantly. Further, delamination did not occur, fewer cracks were formed, and metallurgical bonds formed at the interface. The average hardness of the multilayered ZrB2-TiB2/Ni coating was approximately HV 1050 and lower than that of the monolithic ZrB2-TiB2 coating (HV 1280). For all the investigated coating conditions, a narrow, softened zone was observed near the coating-substrate interface. The softening mechanism was different for the two cases. In the case of the monolithic ZrB2-TiB2 coating, a heat-affected zone (HAZ) with large crystallites was formed. In the case of the multilayer ZrB2-TiB2/Ni coating, the zone was formed owing to the metallurgical reaction of Ni with the substrate as well as the mixing of Ni with the substrate.

Online publication date: Sat, 12-Mar-2016

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering (IJSURFSE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com