Tribological Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Sprayed WC-20 wt.% Co Coatings

Abstract

The microstructural and wear characterization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced WC-20 wt.% Co coatings were performed. The coatings were deposited by high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying. The CNTs act as nanofillers to improve the characteristics of composite coatings such as microhardness, porosity, and surface roughness. From the wear analysis of the coatings using wear tribometer, it was observed that less weight loss, low coefficient of friction, and less wear rate occurred in the case of 6 wt.% CNTs reinforced coatings at 1.5 kgf load. Due to the presence of CNTs, the amount of wear gets reduced with an increase in the percentage of CNTs. This implies that the addition of CNTs can improve the wear resistance of ceramic coatings, and the CNTs can sustain as suitable additives for enhancing the characteristics of the composite coatings.