Characterization of graphite containing ceramic coating prepared on carbon steel by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Ceramic coatings containing graphite were prepared on Q235 carbon steel by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in aluminate electrolyte with graphite dispersed in electrolyte. The microstructure and properties of the coatings including phase composition, surface and cross section morphology, thickness and bonding strength were characterized. The results showed that the coating consisted of FeAl2O4, Fe3O4 and a certain amount of graphite. The coating was typically characterized by micro pores and ball-shaped round grains distributed on the surface. With increasing the treating current density, the pores became bigger and the ball-shaped round grains became more. Coatings obtained with various current densities showed a good interface between the coating and substrate. The bonding strength of the coatings decreased a little when increasing the current densities, the values of which were all above 20MPa. The coating grew both inwards and outwards to the substrate surface. With increasing the treating current density, the consumption of substrate gradually increased but the whole thickness was not strongly affected by the current density and the value was about 115 mu m.