Abrasive wear resistance of aluminum matrix composite coatings

The results of abrasive wear of AMg6 – WC composite coatings obtained by the method of non-vacuum electron beam surfacing under different processing modes are presented. The structure, phase composition, and properties of composite coatings (CC) are studied. The effect of the surface density of the introduced energy on the dissolution of WC particles, the formation of new phases and their distribution in coatings has been established. It is shown that hardening with WC particles leads to an increase in the hardness of CC. The tests have showed that the abrasive wear resistance of the coatings obtained at E = 4.25 kJ/cm2 and E = 4.48 kJ/cm2 is 1.7 and 2.5 times higher than the wear resistance of the AMg6 alloy, respectively, and the Brinell hardness of the coatings increases by 27 and 32%, respectively, compared with the AMg6 alloy. An analysis of the morphology of the worn surface of the CC and AMg6 alloy has showed that the main cause of wear of the original AMg6 alloy is the destruction of groove pile-ups, which are formed as a result of micro-cutting and “ploughing” (abrasive wear) by particles. The wear of the CC is associated with the pitting of the hardening particles from the soft matrix. A direct correlation has been established between hardness, wear resistance, and the volume fraction of hardening coating particles. Wear resistance increases with increasing hardness and volume fraction of hardening particles in the surface layer of coatings. It is revealed that the wear resistance of CC is affected by structural changes in the surface layer caused by the destruction of hardening particles and their redistribution in the matrix during wear.The work was performed within the framework of the state assignment of the ISPMS SD RAS, subject No. FWRW–2021–0009 and the state assignment of the Scientific Research Center SB RAS, project no. FWRW-2024-0010.