The Lubricant Effect of Oxidation and Wear Products of HVOF Co-alloy T800 Powder Coating

Abstract

Micron size Co-alloy 800 (T800) powder is coated on the high temperature, oxidation and corrosion resistant super alloy Inconel 718 substrate by the optimal high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray coating process developed by this laboratory. For the study of durability improvement of high speed spindle operating without lubricants, friction and sliding wear behaviors of the coatings are investigated both at room and at an elevated temperature of 1000 ℉ (538 ℃). Friction coefficients, wear traces and wear debris of coatings are drastically reduced compared to those of non-coated surface of Inconel 718 substrate both at room temperature and at 538 ℃. Friction coefficients and wear traces of both coated and non-coated surfaces are drastically reduced at higher temperature of 538 ℃ compared with those at room temperature. At high temperature, the brittle oxides such as CoO, Co3O4, MoO2 and MoO3 are formed rapidly on the sliding surfaces, and the brittle oxide phases are easily attrited by reciprocating slides at high temperature through oxidation and abrasive wear mechanisms. The brittle solid oxide particles, softens, melts and partial-melts play roles as solid and liquid lubricants reducing friction coefficient and wear. These show that the coating is highly recommendable for the durability improvement coating on the machine component surfaces vulnerable to frictional heat and wear.