Effect of graphite/CeO2 on microstructure and tribological property of plasma cladded Co-based coatings.

In this study, graphite/CeO 2 reinforced Co-based coatings were prepared on the surface of HT250 gray cast iron by the plasma cladding technology. The influence of graphite and CeO 2 on microstructure and properties of Co-based coatings were studied in detail. The phase composition and microstructure of coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The micro-hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of coatings were evaluated using micro-hardness tester, friction wear testing machine and electrochemical workstation. The results showed that the addition of graphite was beneficial to enhance micro-hardness and wear resistance of coatings, but there was still shortcoming in improving corrosion resistance. On this basis, CeO 2 was further introduced together with graphite. The microstructure of coatings was found to be more uniform under the synergy of graphite and CeO 2. The micro-hardness increased from 684.5 HV 0.3 (coatings adding graphite alone) to 767.4 HV 0.3 (coatings adding graphite and CeO 2), which was 29.7% and 115.1% higher than that of as-cladded coatings and substrate respectively. More importantly, the corrosion current density of coatings was an order of magnitude lower than that of coatings adding graphite alone. Therefore, adding CeO 2 together with graphite was beneficial to the synergistic improvement of micro-hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of Co-based coatings. • Co-based coatings adding graphite/CeO 2 were prepared by plasma cladding. • The microstructure of coatings became uniform after adding graphite/CeO 2. • Wear resistance of coatings adding graphite together with CeO 2 was enhanced. • Corrosion resistance of coatings adding graphite together with CeO 2 was raised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]