Optimization of Mechanical Properties of Cr3C2-Ni20Cr/Graphite Cold Sprayed Coatings

This study analyzed the mechanical properties of cold-sprayed Cr3C2-25(Ni20Cr) blended with Ni-graphite as a solid lubricant deposited on 7075 aluminum alloy substrate. To optimize the coating properties, different sets of parameters (graphite content in feedstock, process gas composition, spraying distance, and traverse gun speed) were tested in the frame of the Taguchi experiment. The cold-sprayed coatings were evaluated for their chromium carbide and graphite content, hardness, and coefficient of friction. Analysis of the microstructure of the deposited coatings revealed that graphite as a soft and brittle component fills all voids in the coating and its quantity depends on its content in the feedstock. The experimental results show that the composition of the process gas has the greatest impact on the Cr3C2 content in the coating and the proportion of graphite in the sprayed blend directly affects its hardness. In the case of the coefficient of friction, the most significant parameters were the graphite content in the sprayed blend, the spraying distance, and process gas composition. The conducted verification experiment with the optimum parameter values allowed a coating with the highest hardness and the lowest coefficient of friction to be obtained.