Microstructure Characteristics, Tribology and Nano-Hardness of Plasma Sprayed NiCrRe Coating

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the investigation of NiCrRe coating deposited by plasma spray process at the atmospheric pressure on boiler steel substrate. These coatings were characterized by means of a scanning electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The wear resistance of plasma sprayed NiCrRe coatings has been investigated under dry sliding conditions at applied load of 10 N in air. The continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) method was used for the investigation of nanohardness using Agilent G200 Nano-indenter in order to determine the mechanical properties of the coatings. Microstructural observations pointed out that the NiCr layer with white isles of rhenium possessed porosity, oxidized, un-melted and semi-melted particles, and inclusions. According to the results the thickness of the layer is 450 µm, the indentation modulus 158 ± 24.4 GPa, hardness 3.74 ± 0.76 GPa and the coefficient of friction is 0.45.