High-temperature tribological properties of Ni-P alloy coatings deposited by electro-brush plating

Abstract

High-temperature tribological properties of Ni-P alloy coatings processed by electro-brush plating on 20CrMo steel have been investigated. A ball-on-disc configuration was employed and 4 mm diameter Si3N4 balls were used as static counterpart. All the wear tests were carried out at 450°C for 180 min without lubricants. The electro-brush plating Ni-P coating is amorphous in as-deposited condition, and it becomes polycrystalline with the formation of Ni and Ni3P after heat treatment at 450°C for 1 h. The friction coefficient of the Ni-P coating is just 50% of that of the 20CrMo steel at the friction temperature of 450°C. A mild adhesive wear mechanism was found for the electro-brush plating Ni-P coating tested at 450°C, whereas for the 20CrMo steel at the same temperature a mixed adhesive and abrasive wear mechanism was observed.