Slurry erosion performance study of detonation gun-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr coatings on CF8M steel under hydro-accelerated conditions

Abstract

In the current investigation, cermet coatings (WC-10Co-4Cr) were deposited on CF8M steel by detonation gun (D-gun) thermal spraying process. Subsequently, the slurry erosion behaviors of the coated and bare steels were investigated using a high-speed erosion test rig. Slurry collected from an actual hydro power plant was used as the abrasive media. Effects of concentration (ppm), average particle sizes and rotational speed on the slurry erosion behaviors of coated and bare steels under different experimental conditions were studied. The analysis of eroded samples was done using SEM and stylus profilometry. Signatures of microcutting, fracture of well-bonded WC grains, and fragmentations were observed on the eroded surface of WC-10Co-4Cr coating, while signatures of formation of plowing, lips, shearing of platelet, formation of crater, and micro-cutting were observed on the eroded surface of CF8M steel.