Characterization and tribological behavior of FeS/ferroalloy composite coating under dry condition

In this study, the FeS/ferroalloy composite coating with the upper FeS coating and the lower ferroalloy welding coating was prepared on the 1045 steel by a compound technology—metal-arc inert-gas (MIG) welding and low temperature ion sulfurizing. The surface morphologies, phase structure and mechanical properties of the FeS/ferroalloy composite coating have been characterized by surface analysis methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nano-indentation tester. The SEM images showed that the surface of the FeS/ferroalloy composite coating was homogeneous and smooth, and the thickness of the FeS layer obtained from ion sulfurizing was about 3 μm. The EDS analysis results proved that the light gray belt zone in the cross-section morphology was the FeS layer. The XRD patterns implied the FeS/ferroalloy composite coating was composed of FeS, α-Fe and Fe–C solid solution. The coated disc slided against an AISI 52100 ball under dry friction condition. The results showed that the FeS/ferroalloy composite coating exhibited low friction coefficient and high wear-resistance.