Microstructural characteristics of cold-sprayed nanostructured WC-Co coatings

The cold-spray process was used to prepare nanostructured WC-Co coatings. The coating microstructural characteristics and phase composition were analyzed via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology and microstructure of the nanostructured WC-Co powder were also analyzed by SEM and XRD. A 10 mum thick coating was achieved. The powder particles and coating microhardness were also evaluated and compared. The results show that there is no degradation of the WC-Co powder during the cold-spray process and well bonded and phase pure WC coating can be produced by the cold-spray process. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.