Tribological and Corrosion Properties of Iron-Based Alloys

Corrosion is responsible for industrial maintenance and industrial accidents costs. A helpful way to prevent corrosion is to develop advanced materials with highly anti-corrosive properties. The electrodeposition is one of the most attractive methods for obtaining these materials. This work deals with evaluation of the tribological and corrosion behaviour of electrodeposited Fe-W and Fe-W-P alloys. Electrodeposits were obtained from 4 different baths and were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy; X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The hardness was determined by Micro-indentation carried out at normal forces varying from 98 mN up to 980 mN with a loading rate of 1961 mN/min. A ball-disc tribometer was used to study the tribological properties at 90 °C. A diamond indenter, having a radius of 100 µm, was used to carry the scratch test. Corrosion behaviour was studied using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. It was investigated that in all cases Fe-W and Fe-W-P alloy coatings exhibit greater micro-hardness than the stainless steel substrate. The amorphous-like ternary Fe-W-P alloy coatings demonstrate higher wear and corrosion resistance and lower friction coefficient compared to binary Fe-W alloy coating.