Microstructures and Tribological Properties of Fe-Based Amorphous Metallic Coatings Deposited via Supersonic Plasma Spraying

Abstract

The effects of the Ar flow rate and spraying power of a supersonic plasma spraying process on the microstructures and amorphous phase contents of Fe48Cr15Mo14C15B6Y2 amorphous coatings were systematically investigated. The tribological properties of the coatings were evaluated in pin-on-disk mode using a sliding tribometer. The results show that the amorphous phase content and microhardness initially increase with the Ar flow rate and then gradually decrease. However, the amorphous phase content and microhardness increase with the power. In particular, the amorphous phase content of the coating reaches 96.78% with a spraying power of 62 kW and a 110 L min−1 Ar flow rate. Tribological testing demonstrates that the coatings exhibit similar steady-state coefficients of friction (0.75–0.82) with a total test time of 20 min and an applied load of 20 N. However, the wear rates vary with the spraying parameters. In particular, the relative wear rate of the coating can be enhanced up to sixfold under optimal spraying conditions, resulting in excellent wear resistance. Detailed analysis of the coating wear surfaces indicates that the dominant wear mechanisms are abrasive and oxidative wear. Moreover, delamination may occur during the wear process.