Influence of high-speed arc metallization wire feed rate on tribological and corrosion properties of 30HGSA steel coatings

This study investigates the influence of wire feed rate on the porosity of coatings, elemental analysis, corrosion resistance, tribological properties, and microstructure of iron-based coatings deposited by high-speed arc metallization. The coatings were obtained using a SX-600 high-speed electric arc metallizer. The properties of Fe-based coatings depend on the arc-sputtering parameters. Determination of the optimum arc spraying parameters helps to minimize the deterioration of coating properties. Increasing the wire feed speed leads to an increase in the current value, which generates more heat energy in the arc to melt the wire and consequently favours the formation of dense coatings with low porosity. At high temperatures, Fe-based coatings form oxide deposits that protect the coating from further oxidation and increase coating hardness. Tribological tests show that the friction coefficient of coatings decreases in the presence of FeO on the coating surface, activating its self-lubricating ability. Investigation of the porosity of the samples showed that adjusting the wire feed affected both the pore size and the number of pores.