Abstract
The ZrC-ZrB2/Ni metal matrix composite coatings were in-situ synthesized from a mixture of Ni, Zr and B4C by plasma transferred arc (PTA) cladding process. Microstructures and phase constituents of the coatings were characterized by electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microhardness and wear resistance of the coatings were systematically investigated by means of vickers hardness tester and wear tester. The results showed that the main phases of the composite coatings were ZrB2 and ZrC. The coatings had a sound metallurgical bonding to the SA-283C steel substrate. Microhardness and wear resistance of the substrate were greatly improved by the composite coatings, and both of them showed a tendency to increase first and then decrease with the increase of the Ni content. As the content of Ni was 30 wt.%, the hardness of the coating reached the maximum value, 1522 HV, and the wear resistance was about 15 times that of the substrate.
Highlights
It is one of the most effective ways of using coatings to improve the surface properties 1
Metal matrix composite coatings have been produced by several methods, such as laser cladding, plasma cladding, atmospheric plasma spraying technique . 9-13 Zhang et al 9 synthesized TiC-TiB2/Cr coating on a T61206(UNS) steel by using laser surface engineering, and the results showed that the wear resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance of the coatings were greatly improved compared with the 5CrNiMo steel
It can be observed that the composite coatings were mainly composed of ZrC and ZrB2
Summary
It is one of the most effective ways of using coatings to improve the surface properties 1. Refractory materials ZrC and ZrB2 have many desirable properties, such as high hardness, ultrahigh melting point, high-thermal stability and excellent wear resistance 4-8. Xu et al 10 prepared a ZrB2-ZrC reinforced Ni-based composite coating on the surface of magnesium alloy by an Among these deposition techniques, PTA cladding process is widely used on account of the extremely high temperature, convenient operation and low cost 14. The in-situ synthesis is being used to produce composite coatings in view of the outstanding interfacial compatibility between matrices and reinforcements In this investigation, the ZrB2-ZrC/Ni cermet coatings were in-situ synthesized by PTA cladding with a mixture of Ni, Zr and B4C. The influence of the Ni content in the coatings on the microstructure and wear resistant properties was studied
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