Microstructure and adhesion of 100Cr6 steel coatings thermally sprayed on a 35CrMo4 steel substrate

Thermally sprayed of 100Cr6 steel coatings are widely used to combat degradation of components and structures due to mechanical wear. In this paper, the microstructure and adhesion energy of 100Cr6 steel coatings thermally sprayed on a 35CrMo4 steel substrate are investigated. The microstructure characteristics of the deposits are studied using the combined techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The practical work of adhesion of flame-sprayed 100Cr6 on steel substrate is determined using a four-point delamination bending test. The influence of a molybdenum bond coat on the adhesion is also studied. Microstructure suggests that the coating is mainly constructed by splats of γ-phase (fcc) and FeO. Phase analysis also confirms that during spraying process, a stable α-phase (bcc) was transformed into a new γ-phase (fcc). The highest values of the fracture energy are obtained for the 35CrMo4 substrate/100Cr6 steel deposit type samples. On the contrary, when a molybdenum bond coat is introduced (composite system 35CrMo4 substrate/Mo bond coat/100Cr6 steel deposit), the fracture energy decreases in a ratio of approximately three. So, the presence of a Mo bond coat as a barrier between the coating and the substrate has a negative role on the adhesion.