Influence of plasma spraying parameters on microstructure and corrosion resistance of Cr3C2-25NiCr cermet carbide coating

Purpose In this work, Cr3C2-25NiCr coatings were deposited on 410 stainless steel substrate by using the atmospheric plasma spray technique, at varying spaying parameters. The porosity and microhardness, adhesion strength and corrosion behaviour of coatings were examined in relation to these spraying parameters. Design/methodology/approach The microstructure of prepared coatings was examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The coating compositional analysis was performed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The corrosion resistance of coated steel was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization. Results indicate that optimal factors for minimalizing the porosity were as follows: 10 g/min feed rate, 600 A plasma current and 100 mm spraying distance. The spraying factors influencing corrosion resistance of coating were also evaluated. Findings Under this optimal condition, the porosity of coating reached its minimal value of 3.1 per cent. The microhardness and adhesion of coatings also reached their maximum values of 64.8 Rockwell Hardness scale C and 60 MPa, respectively. XRD results indicated the transformation of Cr3C2 originating from Cr3C2-25NiCr source powder into Cr7C3 and Cr23C6 crystalline phases, due to the high temperature during spraying process. The undetectable Cr3C2 peaks indicating that this phase was remained in coating at very low concentrations. The potentiodynamic polarization and salt spray tests confirmed the highest corrosion resistance for the coating prepared by optimal spraying parameters. Originality/value The application of Cr3C2-NiCr cermet carbit coating for protection of steel from corrosion-erosion is very promising.