Hard and wear resistance TiC-composite coating on AISI 1020 steel using powder metallurgy tool by electro-discharge coating process

Abstract

TiC–Cu tool electrode prepared by the powder metallurgy route has been used to deposit TiC coating on AISI 1020 mild steel by the electro-discharge coating (EDC) process. Different ratios of TiC and Cu were considered to make a tool electrode that enables to produce acceptable quality coating. The effect of peak current and pulse duration during the EDC process was analyzed for the deposition rate and surface characteristics of the coating. The microhardness of the coated surface was measured by Vickers microindentation tester and microstructure of the deposited layers was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elements present in the coating were analyzed through energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and the compounds formed during the coating process were identified by the XRD technique. The wear rate of the coated samples was measured through ball-on-disc-type sliding wear test against WC–Co ball. Analysis of the experimental results revealed that a higher peak current during the EDC process augmented the microhardness and wear resistance of the coating.