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Failure modes observed on worn surfaces of W-C-Co sputtered coatings

1993; Elsevier BV; Volume: 62; Issue: 1-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0257-8972(93)90296-z

1879-3347

A. Ramalho, A. Cavaleiro, A.S. Miranda, M.T. Vieira,

Metal Alloys Wear and Properties

During scratch testing, the indenter gives rise to a distribution of stresses similar to that observed in tribocontacts. In this work, r.f.- sputtered W-C-Co coatings deposited from sintered WC + Co (6, 10 and 15wt.%Co) at various substrate biases were scratched and tested tribologically and the morphology of the damaged surfaces was analysed. The cobalt content of the coatings is the main factor determining their tribological characteristics. The failure modes observed on the worn pin-on-disc tested surfaces are explained and compared with those obtained by scratch testing. In spite of it not being possible to establish quantitative results for the wear resistance of W-C-Co coatings from scratch testing, an estimation cen be performed based on the observation of the failure modes in the scratch track. Thus scratch testing can be used to predict the tribological behaviour of coated surfaces. This possibility can reduce the number and cost of tribological tests.