Comparison of Structure and Wear Properties of Fine-Structured WC-CoCr Coatings Deposited by HVOF and HVAF Spraying Processes

Abstract

The aim of the work was to study the microstructure and wear properties of fine-structured HVOF and HVAF sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr coatings prepared from powder having submicron-sized tungsten carbides. The coatings were deposited by HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) and HVAF (High Velocity Air Fuel) using propane as a fuel gas in both processes, and using oxygen or air as oxidizing gas for combustion, respectively. Nitrogen was used as carrier gas for the powder. Commercially available agglomerated and sintered cermet powder with main carbide sizes under 500 nm was used in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction were performed in order to characterize the powder and the microstructures formed during the spraying processes. The microhardness HV0.3 of the coatings was investigated and the pin on disk test was used to determine the sliding wear behaviour. The rubber wheel abrasion test was performed in order to determine the abrasion wear resistance of the coatings.