Microstructures and properties of Cr-Cu/W-Cu bi-layer composite coatings prepared by mechanical alloying

Cr-Cu/W-Cu bi-layer coatings with composite structures were fabricated by means of mechanical alloying. The Cr-Cu layer and the W-Cu layer were deposited successively and the as-synthesized bi-layer coating was made up of an inner Cr-Cu layer and an outer W-Cu layer. Microstructures, chemical and phase compositions of the as-prepared coatings were characterized. The results indicated that the bonding between the inner coating and the substrate was improved with the increase of Cu in the raw powder. The annealing treatment of the inner Cr-Cu layer was beneficial to the bonding between the inner Cr-Cu coating and the outer W-Cu coating layer. Mechanical properties such as microhardness, friction and wear resistance were tested. The as-synthesized coating could effectively improve the hardness and wear resistance of the Cu substrate.