Tribological properties of HVOF sprayed WC composite coatings by simulating plastics‐processing conditions

Abstract Glass fiber(GF)‐reinforced polymers can cause vigorous wear for the screws and barrels in the plasticizing units of injection molding machines. The three types of WC composite coatings were selected to spray on 42CrMo steel by high‐velocity oxygen fuel spraying process. The designed PPS‐40%GF pins were used to simulate the tribological system. Against PPS‐40%GF pins, the wear rates of WC‐12Co, WC‐20Cr 3 C 2 ‐7Ni, and WC‐10Co‐4Cr coatings were 0.014 × 10 −9 , 0.053× 10 −9 , and 0.097 × 10 −9 mg/mm, respectively. The corresponding wear rates for PPS‐40%GF tribo‐pairs were 0.119 × 10 −9 , 0.102 × 10 −9 , and 0.079 × 10 −9 mg/mm, respectively. The wear resistance of the coatings was ordered of WC‐12Co > WC‐20Cr 3 C 2 ‐7Ni > WC‐10Co‐4Cr coatings. The wear mechanisms of the coatings were studied and addressed.