INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR PREPARATION OF Fe–Al–Cr INTERMETALLIC FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIAL ON 1045 STEEL WITH UNIQUE TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

By combining the plasma ion implantation (PII) technology and double glow plasma surface metallurgy (DGPSM), a Fe–Al–Cr intermetallic functionally graded material was deposited on 1045 steel. The obtained Fe–Al–Cr intermetallic functionally graded material was around 11[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m in thickness and was composed of a Cr-enriched layer (Cr-enriched Fe–Cr compounds), a Fe–Al–Cr-enriched layer (Fe2AlCr and Al8Cr5 compounds), and a Fe-enriched layer (Fe-enriched Fe–Cr solid solution). The interfacial contact between the Fe–Al–Cr intermetallic functionally graded material and the steel substrate is excellent due to the metallurgical bonding. The wear rate of the Fe–Al–Cr intermetallic functionally graded material was only around 25% of that of the 1045 steel substrate. Due to the different compound distributions in the Cr-enriched layer, Fe–Al–Cr-enriched layer, and Fe-enriched layer, the friction coefficients were different and their tribological behaviors were abrasive wear, oxidative wear and adhesive wear, respectively.