Effect of electrospark alloying a tungsten hard alloy on its wear and corrosion resistance

• Published in: Powder metallurgy and metal ceramics 1999-05, Vol.38 (5-6), p.250-253
• Main Authors: Podchernyaeva, I A, Panasyuk, A D, Lavrenko, V A, Yuga, A I, Berezanskaya, V I
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloying; Alloying effects; Alloys; Cobalt base alloys; Coefficient of friction; Corrosion resistance; Corrosive wear; Economics; Electrode materials; High temperature; Mass transport; Mechanical properties; Oxidation; Oxidation resistance; Spark alloying; Titanium carbonitride; Tribology; Tungsten base alloys; Tungsten carbide; Wear resistance
• ISSN: 1068-1302; 1573-9066
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02675771

An alternative to the surface modification of tungsten hard alloys by the PCVD method (from the point of view of economy and the level of useful properties) may be electrospark alloying (ESA). A study was made of the kinetics of mass transport in the ESA of a WC—6% Co alloy using an electrode material based on TiCN, and of the tribological properties and high-temperature oxidation resistance of the coated hard alloy. It was found that in the range of low and medium velocities (≤6 m/sec) linear wear of the WC—6% Co alloy was decreased by a factor of 22 by ESA, and the coefficient of friction decreased from 0.42 to 0.18. The untreated alloy suffered a catastrophic weight gain at elevated temperatures, while coated WC—6% Co retained statisfactory oxidation resistance.