Influences of flame remelting and WC-Co addition on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of NiCrBSi coatings manufactured via HVOF process

Abstract

We investigated the microstructures, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of NiCrBSi coatings upon the addition of the WC-Co powder in various amounts (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) using the high velocity oxy-fuel process on low-carbon steel. Additionally, flame remelting was performed at 1100 °C for 1 min following thermal spraying of the coatings. The microstructures of the coatings were examined using X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy, and the mechanical properties of the coatings were assessed via Vickers microhardness and ball-on-disk tests. The corrosion behavior of the coatings was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization testing in a 20 vol.% sulfuric acid solution. The results demonstrated that an increase in the WC-Co amount enhanced the hardness and wear resistance of the coatings. For 10–20 wt% WC-Co addition, small cracks were observed in the as-sprayed coatings owing to the heat applied during thermal spraying and rapid cooling, respectively. The presence of porosity directly affects the corrosion behavior of the coatings. Flame remelting led to better cohesion and the distribution of the γ-Ni and WC phases, reducing microdefects, such as pores and cracks. The mechanical properties of the coatings improved as the WC-Co amount increased after flame remelting, resulting in the formation of intermetallic compounds (FeB, CoSi2, and Ni2Si) along with the WC phase. The flame-remelted NiCrBSi/ 10 wt% WC-Co coating demonstrated high hardness and low wear and corrosion rates (1072.26 HV, 4.8 × 10−6 mm3/m, and 0.560 mm/year, respectively). Therefore, WC-Co addition and the flame remelting process significantly enhanced the properties of NiCrBSi coatings. This study highlights the substantial contributions of WC-Co addition and the flame remelting process in enhancing the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of NiCrBSi coatings. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing the performance of commercially available coatings in various real-world applications in maintaining power plants and industrial components like high-pressure pump piston rods, acid-resistant pumps in oil refineries.