EFFECT OF LASER POST-TREATMENT ON MICROSTRUCTURAL AND SLIDING WEAR BEHAVIOR OF HVOF-SPRAYED NiCrC AND NiCrSi COATINGS

Abstract

In this study, NiCrC and NiCrSi coatings are deposited on the MDN 310 steel using High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) process. Laser Surface Melting (LSM) post-heat treatment is carried out on as-sprayed coatings using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENSTM) with a power of 300[Formula: see text]W. The characteristics of both coatings in terms of mechanical and metallurgical properties have been investigated. The thicknesses of the as-sprayed NiCrC and NiCrSi coatings are in the range of 170–200[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. Laser-treated NiCrC and NiCrSi coatings exhibit a thickness range of 162–185[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, respectively. The microstructure of laser-treated NiCrC-300W coating clearly shows a dendrite-like structure, whereas the laser-treated NiCrSi coating exhibits hard layer and columnar homogeneity. Microhardness of as-sprayed NiCrC coating is [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and that of NiCrSi coating is [Formula: see text] HV[Formula: see text]. Microhardness of laser-treated NiCrC coating is [Formula: see text] HV[Formula: see text] and that of NiCrSi coating is [Formula: see text] HV[Formula: see text]. Dry sliding wear tests are conducted at room temperature (RT) and 400∘C with 10-N and 20-N loads. The wear rates at 400∘C temperature of laser-treated NiCrC and NiCrSi coatings produced are slightly below [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm3/m and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm3/m, respectively. Laser-treated coatings produced better dry sliding wear behavior compared with as-sprayed coatings owing to dense microstructure. Formation of SiC phase in NiCrSi coating imparts high wear and frictional resistance compared to the NiCrC coating.