DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL-TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ANTI-FRICTION ION-PLASMA Ti –C–Mo –S COATING DEPOSITED ON 20Kh13 AND 40Kh STEELS

The results of comparative studies of tribological and physical properties of Ti – C – Mo – S multicomponent composition antifriction coating deposited by combined magnetron-plasma method on 40Kh and 20Kh13 steel templates are presented. Coating on 40Kh and 20Kh13 steel templates is formed in a single batch, i.e. under the same conditions and with the same technological regimes by magnetron sputtering of cathodes made by SHS synthesis and assistance of high-density gas-discharged plasma formed by HCPS plasma source. The work shows technological methods used in coating. After the coating is formed, templates were subjected to friction tests on tribometer using “pin-on-disk” scheme, linear relative speed of counter-faces was 50  –  60  cm/s. The obtained results showed a significant difference in tribological characteristics of coating, depending on template material, wear resistance in the first place. A significant difference in service life of coating on templates produced of different materials was found by comparing low-alloy chromium (about 1  %) 40Kh steel (higher wear resistance) to high-chrome chromium (about 13  %) 20Kh13 steel. Results of optical microscopy and ESM of wear and tear tracks are presented, difference in nature and degree of wear of coating formed on templates made of 40Kh and 20Kh13 steels is revealed. Using electronic profilometer, specific wear of coating per 1000 rotations of disk was estimated based on average cross-section area of friction track: cross-section area of coating wear track of 20Kh13 steel template coating is four times larger than that of 40Kh steel template. A comprehensive analysis of physical and tribological study results suggests that observed difference is primarily due to different initial chemical-phase composition and differences in structure of substrate materials used in experiment that determine properties of alloyed surface layer and adhesion strength of coating and, ultimately, wear mechanism. 

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