Matheus F A Goosen
Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Suspension thermal sprayed nanocomposite WC-Co coatings: nanoindentation assessment
Biography
Biography: Matheus F A Goosen
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Nanoindentation of WC-12Co thermal spray coatings has been used to evaluate the elastic modulus and hardness of coating on the polished surface of the coatings. While there has been much progress overall, limited research has been reported on the deposition and evaluation of WC-cermet coatings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microstructural and nanohardness characteristics of tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cermet coatings deposited by liquid suspension spraying. Methodology: Commercially available WC-Co coating powder was milled and water based suspension was produced as feedstock for the thermal spray coating process. Microstructural evaluations of WC-Co cermet coatings included XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Post spraying nanomechanical evaluations were conducted using a Berkovich nanoindenter. Findings: Results indicated relatively higher modulus but lower hardness of suspension coatings. The load displacement curves during nanoindentation were characteristic of the complex coating microstructure showing signs of microcracking and pile-up. The load displacement (P-h) curves along with the SEM images of indents for S-HVOF (suspension high velocity oxyfuel) coating illustrated evidence of sink-in and pile-up of material around the indent contact residual impression during the nano-indentation process. There was some indication of microcracking during indentation as well.
Conclusions: A comparison of S-HVOF and conventional HVOF coatings points toward phase transformations occurring in the suspension spraying which led to nanocrystalline or amorphous phases. The elastic modulus of S-HVOF coatings was on average higher than the conventional HVOF coating. The load displacement curves show features which are consistent with the complex coating microstructure with evidence of micro-cracking and pile-up.
