National University of Science and Technology “MISiS” (Moscow, Russia)

A. E. Kudryashov, Cand. Eng., Leading Researcher, Scientific-Educational Center of SHS MISiS-ISMAN, e-mail: aekudr@yandex.ru
Ph. B. Kiryukhantsev-Korneev, Cand. Eng., Associate Prof., Department of Powder Metallurgy and Functional Coatings; Leading Researcher, Scientific-Educational Center of SHS MISiS-ISMAN, e-mail: kiruhancev-korneev@yandex.ru
M. I. Petrzhik, Dr. Eng., Prof., Scientific-Educational Center of SHS MISiS-ISMAN
E. A. Levashov, Dr. Eng., Prof., Head of the Department of Powder Metallurgy and Functional Coatings; Director, Scientific-Educational Center of SHS MISiS-ISMAN

This study focused on understanding the effect of various media (such as vacuum, argon and air) on the formation, structure, composition and properties of electrospark coatings deposited on the nickel alloy EP 718-ID (an equivalent of Inconel 718). The ZrB₂ — 20% Si electrodes were produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. A hand tool with a vibrating electrode was used to form the coatings in air or argon, whereas the coatings deposited in vacuum were produced with the help of an automatic tool with a rotating electrode. It was established that when electrospark alloying is carried out in vacuum or argon a consistent weight gain is observed on the cathode, and the resultant coatings are uniform and have minimum drawbacks. Coatings deposited in air are associated with eroded substrate material and a high degree of imperfection. The coatings deposited on the nickel alloy have a thickness of 20–25 μm, a hardness of 12.6–18.8 GPa, and a Young modulus of 237.8–351.4 GPa. The roughness of the coatings is 5.8–7.4 μm. The coatings deposited in argon and in vacuum were found to have the maximum hardness and Young modulus. The following compounds dominate in coatings depending on the medium: zirconium diboride ZrB₂ for argon, nickel silicide Ni_{(1 — x)}Si_(x) and zirconium diboride ZrB₂ for vacuum, and zirconium dioxide ZrO₂ and nickel silicide Ni_{(1 — x)}Si_(x) for air. The coatings deposited in vacuum have the maximum oxidation resistance. It is demonstrated that for quality coatings deposited on nickel alloys the electrode materials Zr–Si–B should be used for ESA in argon or vacuum.

This work was carried out with financial support from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation in the framework of state assignment No.11.7172.2017/8.9. The authors would like to thank N.V. Shvyndina, T. A. Sviridova, A. N. Sheveiko for their support during the study.

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