Mechanical response of the Cr3C2–NiCr coating-substrate system during nanoindentation process

Abstract

The coating deformation behavior and stress evolution of the plasma sprayed Cr3C2–NiCr coating during nanoindentation process were analyzed by finite element modeling based on its real elastic-plastic properties. The effects of indentation depth and the coating thickness on the mechanical response of the coating were studied. The results show that once the indentation depth exceeded 13% of the coating thickness, the coating material near the indenter was extruded and piled up on the top surface. Meanwhile, high equivalent stress was developed along the coating-substrate interface rather than inside the coating. Even when the indentation depth was smaller than 13% of the coating thickness, the substrate still influences the mechanical behavior of the coating, inducing different reaction force to the indenter.