Microstructure and tribology properties of plasma sprayed Cu14Al4.5FeNiCe clad

A Cu14Al4.5FeNiCe clad was formed on 45 carbon steel by plasma spraying of Cu14Al4.5FeNiCe alloy powder which was prepared by water cooled gas atomizing. The morphologies and phase structures of the clad,and the intersection between the clad and the carbon steel were investigated by optical microscope,scanning electron microscope,energy dispersion spectroscope and X-ray diffraction analyzer. The interfacial bonding strength between the clad and the carbon steel substrate was measured by tensile test. Tribology properties of the sprayed clad against 304 stainless steel under no-lubrication condition were evaluated on an UMT-2MT tester. Results showed that the sprayed Cu14Al4.5FeNiCe clad combined firmly to the 45 carbon steel substrate in a metallurgy way with a surface hardness of HB 320. The clad was composed of(α +γ₂),β' and K phases,in which K phase was dispersed into the matrix of(α +γ₂) and β'. The clad presented a good anti-lubrication character with friction coefficient of 0.105 under the load of 40N(5.7 MPa). Friction coefficient of the Cu14Al4.5FeNiCe clad against 304 stainless steel increased slightly with load increasing. The clad exhibited a high wear-resistance to 304 stainless steel,wear rate of the clad increased smoothly with load.