Microstructure and tribological properties of atmospheric plasma-sprayed TiO2 coatings reinforced by boron nitride nanosheets

In this study, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs)/TiO2 composite coatings were fabricated using atmospheric plasma spraying. The phase composition and microstructure of composite coatings were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, tribological tests were conducted using a ball-on-disc tribometer under dry sliding conditions. XRD analysis reveals the transformation of partial anatase TiO2 to rutile TiO2. SEM images demonstrate that the incorporation of BNNSs has no discernible impact on the coating's morphology. The TiO2-BNNSs coating exhibited a reduction in both volume loss and wear rate by approximately 71.5% and 55.9%, respectively, in comparison to the TiO2 coating. The potential strengthening mechanisms of the composite coating are further discussed.