Wear characteristics of WC-6Co coating deposited using pulsed electrode surfacing technique

An assessment of the wear performance of coatings produced by pulsed electr ode surfacing was carried out. The PES technique is based on the transfer o f coating material from an electrode to a substrate by means of an electric are. A major advantage of this process is that a true metallurgical bond t o the substrate results during coating application, in contrast with other coating techniques such as plasma spray, sputtering, etc. Initial experimen tal wear resistant coatings of WC-6Co have been applied to several steel su bstrates. Substrate steel pins were 1045, M2, 304SS, and 9840 (or 4140). Su bstrate bars were M2 and 9840 (or 4140). Wear tests were carried out using a pin on rotating bar system. After the tests, the surfaces were observed w ith art analytical SEM. Specimen cross-sections were characterised using SE M and microhardness measurements. All coatings formed strong, adherent meta llurgical bonds to their substrates. Wear test results showed superior perf ormance of all coatings to uncoated and to TiN coated substrates in the hig h stress, unlubricated environment of the pin on rotating bar test. (C) 199 9 IoM Communications Ltd.