Wear behavior of carbide tool coated with Yttria-stabilized zirconia nano particles.

Abstract

Wear mechanism takes predominant role in reducing the tool life during machining of Titanium alloy. Challenges of wear mechanisms such as variation in chip, high pressure loads and spring back are responsible for tool wear. In addition, many tool materials are inapt for machining due to low thermal conductivity and volume specific heat of these materials results in high cutting temperature during machining. To confront this issue Electrostatic Spray Coating (ESC) coating technique is utilized to enhance the tool life to an acceptable level. The Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) acts as a thermal barrier coating having high thermal expansion coefficient and thermal shock resistance. This investigation focuses on the influence of YSZ nanocoating on the tungsten carbide tool material and improve the machinability of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. YSZ nano powder was coated on the tungsten carbide pin by using ESC technique. The coatings have been tested for wear and friction behavior by using a pin-on-disc tribological tester. The dry sliding wear test was performed on Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) disc and YSZ coated tungsten carbide (pin) at ambient atmosphere. The performance parameters like wear rate and temperature rise were considered upon performing the dry sliding test on Ti-6Al-4V alloy disc. The performance parameters were calculated by using coefficient of friction and frictional force values which were obtained from the pin on disc test. Substantial resistance to wear was achieved by the coating.