Effect of stress on abrasive and erosive wear of steels and sprayed coatings

The effect of stress on abrasive and erosive wear was studied for the hypoeutectoid steel, two hypereutectoid tool steels and flame sprayed coatings. In the experiment, the specially designed tester as well as SEM and contact profilometer were applied. Abrasion and erosion remove asperities protruding from the surface of coatings. The imposed stress increased erosive wear of coatings. Application of compressive stress to steels reduces roughness of the wear scar. Compressive stress caused distinct damage localization in abraded and eroded coatings, mean spacing of surface irregularities Rsm observed in erosion test was about 50% larger than in unstressed coatings. Results of fractal analysis confirm stress-induced change in surface topography.