Microscopic Characteristics and Properties of Fe-Based Amorphous Alloy Compound Reinforced WC-Co-Based Coating via Plasma Spray Welding

Plasma spray welding, as one of the material surface strengthening techniques, has the advantages of low alloy material consumption, high mechanical properties and good coating compactness. Here, the Co alloy, WC and Fe-based amorphous alloy composite coating is prepared by the plasma spray welding method, and the coating characteristics are investigated. The results indicate that the coatings have a full metallurgical bond in the coating/substrate interface, and the powder composition influences the microstructures and properties of the coating. The hardness of coatings increases with the mass fraction of the Fe-based amorphous alloy. The spray welding layer has a much higher wear resistance compared with the carbon steel, and the Fe-20 exhibits a superior wear resistance when compared to others. The results indicate that the amorphous alloy powders are an effective additive to prepare the coating by plasma spray welding for improving the wear resistance of the coating.

Automated summary

Plasma spray welding of a composite coating consisting of Co alloy, WC, and Fe-based amorphous alloy demonstrates full metallurgical bond at the coating/substrate interface, increased hardness with higher mass fraction of Fe-based amorphous alloy, and superior wear resistance especially in Fe-20 compared to other coatings. Amorphous alloy powders are found to be effective additives in improving wear resistance of coatings prepared by plasma spray welding.