Investigation on Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Thermally Sprayed Fe-based Composites Reinforced with Different Ceramic Particulates

 

 

 

Investigation on Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Thermally Sprayed Fe-based Composites Reinforced with Different Ceramic Particulates

 

F. Azarmi, X. W. Tangpong

Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA, ND 58108-6050

 

 

 

 

 

Three different coatings were deposited using Detonation Gun Spraying (DGS) technology from steel powder and mixing steel powder with Fe₃C and SiC particles. The influence of microstructural characteristics on the hardness, modulus of elasticity, and wear properties of metal matrix composites was studied. The rapid solidification of steel powders resulted in formation of an amorphous structure in all coatings. The unreinforced steel coating was characterized by a higher hardness in comparison with other composite coatings. This phenomenon could be explained due to high degree of amorphization in steel coating compared to the composite samples. The microstructural observation confirmed formation of dense coatings with strong adhesion between layers with minimum defects and porosities in interfacial regions. The friction coefficients of coatings were relatively high and varied from 0.479 to 0.745 at ambient temperature. The wear rate of coatings was almost close for all studies samples in room temperature. However, ceramic reinforced steel coatings were superior at elevated temperatures (200 °C).