Title: Investigation of wear behaviour of HVOF sprayed WC-Co coatings for automotive parts in different working conditions

Authors: Abdullah Uzun, Ekrem Altuncu, Fatih Ustel, Ahmet Turk, Savas Ozturk

Addresses: Technical Programs, Vocational School of Sakarya, Sakarya University, Izmit Cad./Sakarya, Turkey. ' Department Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Thermal Sprey Technology R&D Center, Engineering Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey; Machine-Metal Technology, Vocational School of Asim Kocabiyik, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey. ' Department Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Thermal Sprey Technology R&D Center, Engineering Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey. ' Department Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Thermal Sprey Technology R&D Center, Engineering Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey. ' Department Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Thermal Sprey Technology R&D Center, Engineering Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey

Abstract: Reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) hard coatings which are produced by thermal spray processes are used for various automotive parts such as piston rings and cylinder liners. Generally, WC-CoCr coatings are deposited by HVOF process for improving surface resistance of low alloyed steels. In this study, we examined the wear characteristics of WC-CoCr coatings on low alloyed steel substrate under different test conditions, using a sliding wear test unit with abrasive ball. Experimental studies discussed the effects of test load, temperature, work medium and sliding distance on the wear characteristics of coatings. Weight loss, wear track depth and width were observed. It was found that the weight loss of coatings increased in dry medium conditions. Wear weight loss was significantly reduced in lubricated condition due to decreasing friction. The wear track surface profile changed with lubrication and increasing temperature in test conditions. Under the base oil lubricated conditions the WC-CoCr coating performed well.

Keywords: hard coatings; metal matrix composites; MMC; sliding wear tests; automotive parts; automobile industry; thermal spray; low alloy steel; HVOF; high velocity oxygen fuel; WC-CoCr coatings; tungsten carbide; cobalt chromium; wear weight loss; wear track surface profile; lubrication; temperature.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2011.041401

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2011 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.180 - 192

Published online: 14 Oct 2014 *

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