Trying out spraying modes and properties of wear-resistant flame Al2O3–TiO2 coatings fabricated using a flexible cord material

Abstract

Samples of Al₂O₃–TiO₂ coatings are fabricated by the flame spraying of a flexible cord. The influence of process parameters and composition of the sprayed material on the structure, composition, and mechanical properties of coatings is investigated. It is shown that an increase in the spraying distance and feed rate of the sprayed material leads to a decrease in their density. An increase in the concentration of the low-melting TiO₂ component predetermines a decrease in the coating porosity and has no significant effect on the coating hardness. Being subjected to measuring scratching, Al₂O₃–TiO₂ flame coatings formed with minimal porosity (Π = 3.2%) are characterized by cohesion fracture behavior and no substrate opening under an indenter load of up to 90 N. The friction factor of coatings under study varies from 0.2 to 0.78 after 2800 counterbody revolutions (44 m of the friction path). This is associated with the accumulation of fatigue cracks in the coating material and its subsequent cohesive fracture by the formation of large fragments serving as an abrasive.