Influence of Pulse Electrodeposition and Heat Treatment on Microstructure, Tribological, and Corrosion Behavior of Nano-Grain Size Co-W Coatings

In the present study, Co-W nano-structured alloy coatings are produced on low-carbon steel substrate by means of pulse electrodeposition from a citrate-based bath under different average current densities and duty cycles. The results indicate that the coating deposited under 60% of duty cycle and 1 A/dm(2) of average current density exhibit optimum pulse plating conditions with 44.38 wt.% W, 37 nm grain size, and 758 HV microhardness. The effect of heat treatment temperature on microstructure, composition, corrosion behavior, and morphology of amorphous deposited Co-W alloy with 44 wt.% W was investigated. The microhardness of the coating increased to 1052 HV after heat treatment at 600 degrees C, which is due to the formation of Co3W and CoWO4 phases in the deposit. Furthermore, the coatings heat-treated at 600 degrees C had lower friction coefficients and better wear resistance under various loads than before heating.