Microstructure and wear properties of WC–10Co–4Cr coating to cultivator blades by DJ-HVOF

Abstract

The friction force in mechanical systems not only reduces their efficiency but also causes wear in the machine components, resulting in financial losses. As in every sector, in agricultural production, the problem of abrasion, particularly in soil tillage, is extremely important. Studies have been conducted examining the different methods for minimizing wear on tillage machinery. In this study, the cultivator blades of a boron-alloyed 30MnB5 steel substrate were coated with WC–10Co–4Cr ceramic powder by way of the Diamond Jet high-velocity oxygen-fuel (DJ-HVOF) technique. The microstructure of the sample and its wear properties under field conditions were then investigated. The microstructure, porosity, hardness, surface roughness and wear properties of the samples were revealed. The coating was observed to be well bonded, both mechanically and metallurgically, and the hardness of the coating was three times higher than that of the uncoated substrate material. In the field trials, the wear was found to be six times lower due to the hardness of the WC–10Co–4Cr coating and the hard carbide phases in its microstructure. As a result, the HVOF coating was shown to minimize wear, which is a big problem in tillage machinery. This can extend the economic life of machinery and make agricultural production more efficient.