Fabrication and Investigation of Co-based and CeO2-modified Microwave Coatings

Resumo

This paper explore the viability of novel microwave hybrid heating, Co-based coatings without CeO₂ (unmodified) and with CeO₂ (modified) in varying wt % (1, 2 and 3 wt %) were developed. The coatings were developed using domestic microwave oven of 2.45 GHz frequency, 900 W power and an irradiation time of 15 min. The characterization of unmodified and modified clads has been done in terms of microstructure, XRD, hardness and sliding wear behavior. The influence of sliding speed (1.2 and 2.4 m/s) and distance (3000 and 6000 m) on wear behavior were investigated. It was noticed that the wear resistance of coatings containing 1wt % of CeO₂ was higher than other coatings. Further, it was found that modified coating with optimum addition of cerium oxide (1wt % CeO₂) refined the microstructure, promotes the formation of hard carbides CeC_2, Cr₂₃C₆ and Cr₇C₃, enhanced microhardness to 17% as compared to unmodified.