Propylene flow, microstructure and performance of WC-12Co coatings using a gas-fuel HVOF spray process

Five WC-12Co coatings were deposited by a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) system using constant oxygen flow and varying propylene flow. The phase composition, microstructure, as well as abrasive and sliding wear performance of the as-sprayed coatings were investigated. The degree of tungsten carbide (WC) decarburization in the as-sprayed coatings increases while the coating porosity decreases with the increase of the propylene flow. The coating hardness, fracture toughness, resistance to abrasive and sliding wear increases with the increase of the propylene flow, reaches maximum and then decreases. At the low flow of the propylene, relatively loose coating microstructure is formed, which leads to fracturing and pulling off the WC particles during abrasive and sliding wear process. Herewith, at the high flow of the propylene, the high degree of the WC decarburization and high brittleness of the coating leads to micro-cutting during abrasive wear as well as to cracking and delamination of the coating in the sliding wear process.