Research Progress on the Tribological Properties of Tungsten and Tungsten Carbide Coatings

Tungsten and its compound, tungsten carbide, play significant roles in aerospace, aviation and friction welding fields. Through a systematic review and analysis of the literature, this paper summarizes the friction and wear characteristics of pure tungsten coatings from room temperature to high temperatures, the evolution of their microstructure, and the changes in tribological properties because of the formation of oxide films caused by alterations in the surrounding chemical environment at high temperatures. For tungsten carbide coatings, this paper summarizes their friction and wear processes, the formation of mechanically mixed layers, and their friction response in different environments (dry and lubricated)This research investigates the variation in the friction coefficient of pure tungsten across a temperature range from ambient conditions to over 1000, highlighting inconsistent trends between room temperature and 600. Additionally, the study addresses ongoing debates and outlines potential avenues for future research on pure tungsten and its composite coatings.