Raman spectroscopy characterization of hypo-eutectic CoCrWC alloy tribolayers

Purpose - This paper aims to study microstructure and high temperature tribological performance of hypo-eutectic CoCrWC hardfacing alloy (Stellite 12) deposited on steel substrate by plasma-transferred arc (PTA) welding technique. Design/methodology/approach - Microstructural characterization of the deposited coating was made using electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and microhardness tester. Dry sliding wear tests were carried out with a ball-on-disc type tribometer at room and elevated temperature. Worn surfaces of the samples were examined by the EDX equipped SEM and Raman spectroscopy. Findings - Results revealed that at room temperature and 300°C plasticity dominated wear mechanism was operative. Under oxidation dominated wear conditions (400, 500, 600 and 700°C), testing temperature plays a crucial role on the characteristics of the oxide tribolayers formed on worn surfaces. Development of Cr2O3 in the tribolayer at 600 and 700°C was beneficial in increasing wear resistance of examined coating. Originality/value - While the sliding wear performance of Stellite alloys at room temperature has been investigated in details, published studies on tribological behavior of Stellite alloys with varying temperature are scarce. Therefore, the present work was undertaken to study the wear mechanisms and the type of tribolayers formed during sliding wear of PTA welding deposited hypo-eutectic Stellite 12 coating with increasing temperature up to 700°C.