HVOF-sprayed Coating Over AISI 4140 Steel for Hard Chromium Replacement

The replacement of electrolytic hard chrome (EHC) by high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) sprayed coatings is investigated due to the toxicity of EHC process. The wear behavior of AISI 4140 steel coated by HVOF-, EHC-process was compared to quenched and tempered (Q&T) steel using a pin-on-disc apparatus. The wear tests were conducted at room temperature, 10 N applied load and 0.1 m/s sliding speed in dry condition. The results were interpreted on the basis of the microstructure and hardness. Wear micromechanisms were investigated by SEM. The predominant presence of the WC phase and the formation of W2C and W3C phases, associated with decarburization of superheated regions of the CoCr binding phase of HVOF-coated samples were observed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Wear tests results show that the WC-10Co-4Cr coating exhibits better wear resistance than the EHC coating and Q&T steel. The formation of a wear resistant tribolayer was determinant to the excellent wear behavior of the thermally sprayed coating.