Disperse-strengthening by nanoparticles advanced tribological coatings and electrode materials for their deposition

Two types of electrode materials were developed using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and powder metallurgy: 1- composite with nanosized additives; 2- nanostructured cemented carbide WC–Co. Electrospark deposition (ESD) was applied to produce tribological coatings which were disperse-strengthened by incorporation of nanosized particles. Nanostructured electrodes of cemented carbides WC–8% Co provide increasing density, thickness, hardness, Youngʹs modulus, and wear resistance of ESD-coatings. Positive effects of nanostructural state of the electrodes on the deposition process and structure/properties of the coatings are discussed. In that case the tungsten carbide phase becomes predominant in the coatings. A mechanism of the dissolution reaction of WC in Ni at the contact surface of the electrode was proposed. It was shown that formation of the coating structure is initiated on the electrode and accomplished on the substrate.