Wear resistance of cams made of lamellar and spheroidal graphite cast iron with different surface treatments

Abstract In this study, the wear resistance of cam specimens made from lamellar graphite cast iron and spheroidal graphite cast iron cam specimens, subjected to different surface treatments such as freckle casting, induction hardening, and CrN coating by the PVD method, was experimentally investigated. CrN coating was applied to both freckle cast and induction hardened specimens. Each group of specimens consisted of nine cam specimens, which were subjected to abrasion tests for 3 h at rotational speeds of 85, 100, and 115 rpm under external loads of 4, 8, and 12 N. The weights of the specimens were measured at one-hour intervals using a precision balance, and wear profiles were created to identify areas of higher wear. The results showed that the wear performance of grey cast iron and ductile iron castings was similar and more favorable than that of induction hardened specimens, and that chilled GGG60 specimens were the most durable option for both coated and uncoated specimens, particularly for high speed and high load applications.