Enhancing wear performance by depositing alumina/GNPs coating on textured WC-TiC-Co substrates

Grid and line textures were made on the top surfaces of WC-TiC-Co cemented carbide substrates. Suspension High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (SHVOF) was utilized to deposit alumina and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) coating on the textured surfaces. The friction and wear behaviors of the Alumina/GNPs coating were evaluated using dry sliding wear tests against alumina balls. The friction reduction mechanism of alumina/GNPs coating was presented. GNPs in the alumina coatings played a significant role in reducing the coefficient of friction (CoF) up to 40 % and improving the wear resistance properties of the coating. A stress distribution model of the friction contact zone was provided to analyze the tribological performance of the textured sample. The friction reduction mechanism for alumina/GNPs coating was discussed. These results offer a benchmark for further studies combining microtextured surfaces and SHVOF thermal sprayed coatings as promising candidates for high wear resistant applications.