Improvement of the Surface Properties of Carbon Steel Through Electrospark Coatings from Multicomponent Hard Alloys

This work presents the results of studies of wear-resistant coatings obtained on carbon steel 45 by electrospark deposition (ESD). Multicomponent powder compositions were used, containing WC, Co-Ni-Cr-B-Si semi-self-fluxing alloys and additives of the super-hard compounds B4C and TiB2 with different ratios between the individual components. The ESD electrodes were created using the powder metallurgy methods. The selection of coating compositions and studies were carried out with the aim of obtaining coatings with increased adhesion to the substrate and improved physicochemical and tribological properties under conditions of friction. Coatings with crystalline-amorphous structures, with newly formed intermetallic and wear-resistant phases, and with thickness, rough-ness and microhardness varying depending on ESD modes in ranges respectively δ=8÷50µm Ra=1.5÷5 µm, and HV 8.5÷15.0 GPa were obtained. The ratios between the in-dividual components in the composition of the electrode material and the ESD conditions have been specified, under which the maximum improvement of the properties and wear resistance of the coatings has been obtained - up to 4÷5 times higher than that of the sub-strate and up to 1.5 times higher than that of used conventionally WC-Co electrodes. The relationship of the wear with the ratios between the components in the coating composi-tions has been established.