Microstructural and wear characterization of SiC reinforced Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to present an experimental research on a Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating on AISI 316 stainless steel substrate with and without SiC particulate reinforcement to show how SiC particulate effect on the hardness, wear resistance and microstructure of the coating.

Design/methodology/approach

The main objective of the paper is to investigate the effect of SiC particulate on the coating properties such as hardness, wear resistance and microstructure. Achieving of this purpose, harness and sliding test, surface roughness measurements were carried out. In addition to that parallel work on microstructural examination by optical microscope were also conducted. Owing to SiC particulate is harder than Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating, it influence hardness and tribological behavior and result in increasing in hardness values and wear resistance of the coating reinforced with SiC particulate compare with unreinforced Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating.

Findings

This study provides experimental results about the Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating with and without SiC_p reinforcement. The obtained experimental results indicate that SiC_p in the coating is influence hardness, wear resistance and microstructure of the coating and make them much harder and having wear resistance. This result is consisted with the values obtained previous studies that is available in literature.

Research limitations/implications

SEM or TEM studies may be needed for better understanding of wear mechanism. Various percentage of SiC particulate in the coating can be used in the further researches and provide more detailed information about effecting on SiC_p reinforcement of the coating.

Practical implications

The results show that SiC_p reinforcement contribute increasing in hardness and wear resistance of the coating. Those compositions of the coating can easily used in related industrial applications.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils some useful information about SiC_p Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating and offers practical help to students, related academicians and researchers in the industry.

Citation

Yilmaz, R. (2006), "Microstructural and wear characterization of SiC reinforced Al₂O₃ · TiO₂ plasma coating", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 58 No. 6, pp. 312-319. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368790610691392