Synthesis and characterization of in situ TiC–TiB2 composite coatings by reactive plasma spraying on a magnesium alloy

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 264; pp. 879 - 885
• Main Authors: Zou, Binglin, Tao, Shunyan, Huang, Wenzhi, Khan, Zuhair S., Fan, Xizhi, Gu, Lijian, Wang, Ying, Xu, Jiaying, Cai, Xiaolong, Ma, Hongmei, Cao, Xueqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Coating; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Magnesium alloy; Microstructure; Physics; Reactive plasma spraying (RPS); Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS); TiC–TiB2; Reactive plasma spraying (RPS); TiC–TiB2; Coating; Microstructure; Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS); Magnesium alloy; Composite materials; In situ; Magnesium alloys; Plasma arc spraying; TiC―TiB
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.10.177

► TiC–TiB2 composites coatings were produced on Mg alloy by reactive plasma spraying. ► Phase composition, microstructure and wear resistance of the coatings were studied. ► The resultant product in the coatings was composed of TiC and TiB2. ► The produced coatings displayed porous and dense microstructures. ► The synthesized coatings exhibited good wear resistance for Mg alloy substrate. TiC–TiB2 composite coatings were successfully synthesized using the technique of reactive plasma spraying (RPS) on a magnesium alloy. Phase composition, microstructure and wear resistance of the coatings were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and pin-on-disk wear test, respectively. The results showed that the resultant product in the RPS coatings was composed of TiC and TiB2. Depending on the ignition of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction in the agglomerate particles, the RPS coatings displayed porous and dense microstructures. The porosity of the RPS coatings, to some extent, decreased when the feed powders were plasma sprayed with Ni powders. The RPS coatings provided good wear resistance for the substrate under various loads. For high loads (e.g., ≥15N), the wear resistance could be significantly improved by the proper addition of Ni into the RPS coatings.