Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Cr Coating on M50 Steel Fabricated by Electrospark Deposition

Abstract

Cr coatings are deposited on M50 steel by electrospark deposition with different parameters (100 V-60 μF, 100 V-90 μF, 100 V-120 μF, 150 V-60 μF, 150 V-90 μF and 150 V-120 μF). Influences of the depositing parameters on the microstructure and the corrosion behavior of the coatings were experimentally investigated. There is a linear trend of growth between the mass gain per area and the deposition cycles before reaching the maximum values. The voltage has more influence on the mass gain per area than the capacitance. The coatings display a splash-like pattern decorated with a few of micro-cracks. The micro-cracks are more sensitive to the voltage than the capacitance. The anti-corrosion ability of the coating is significantly better than the M50 steel. Local corrosion occurs in the coating when there are through-coating cracks. The coating deposited under 150 V-60 μF has the minimum defect density and the best anti-corrosion behavior.