Properties of electrospark deposited YG8 coatings on AISI H13 steel

YG8 coatings were deposited on AISI H13 steel substrates by means of electrospark deposition (ESD). The coatings were characterized in terms of their microstructure, hardness, friction and wear behavior. Micro-indentation and tribometer testers were employed to measure the mechanical properties of YG8 coatings and AISI H13 steel. The results showed that the hardness of the coatings ranged from 1820 to 1880 HV, with a higher value than that of AISI H13 steel (510HV). The average coefficient of steady-state friction of the coatings under the loads of ION, 20N and 30N against Si3N4 balls were 0.39, 0.46 and 0.38, with a lower value than that of AISI H13 steel under the load of ION and 20N(0.65). The wear mechanism in the electrospark deposited YG8 coating could be mainly characterized by micro-abrasive wear, delamination wear and oxidative wear while the dominant wear mechanism for AISI H13 steel was a severe abrasive wear.