Microstructure and tribology behaviors of Zr-based amorphous coating on ZL101 by electro-spark deposition

Using Zr₅₅Al₁₀Ni₅Cu₃₀ (at.%) metallic glass alloy rods as electrode, Zr-based alloy coatings were prepared on ZL101 alloy surfaces by electrospark deposition technique. The microstructure and tribology behaviors of the deposited coatings were analyzed by optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tester, and friction and wear tester. The results show that the Zr-based deposition coating is mainly consists of amorphous, Al(Si), ZrO₂ and Cu₈Zr₃ phases. The surface morphologies of the deposition coatings are formed by deposition points superimposed to each other showing typical splash pattern morphology. The average microhardness of Zr-based deposited coating is about 1 555 HV0.01, the coefficient friction is 0.096, which indicates that the coatings have good friction and wear performance. The main abrasion mechanism of the deposited coating is abrasive wear and fatigue wear.