Work

Effect of Fluorinated Graphite (FG) Addition on Friction Performance of FG-Ni/WC/CeO2 Cladding Layers over a Wide Temperature Range

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study fabricated fluorinated graphite (FG)-reinforced Ni/WC/CeO2 cladding layers on 45 steel substrates using vacuum cladding technology. Their microstructure, phase composition, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior over a wide temperature range (25–800 °C) were systematically characterized. The results demonstrate that FG addition promotes the formation of a self-lubricating CeF3 phase. The optimal CeF3 phase formation efficiency occurred at a 1.5 wt% FG content (NWF15). The NWF15 cladding layer exhibited the smallest average grain size (15.88 nm) and the lowest porosity (0.1410%) among all samples. Mechanical testing revealed that this cladding layer possessed the highest microhardness (1062.7 ± 21.9 HV0.2). Its H/E and H3/E2 ratios, indicative of resistance to elastic strain and plastic deformation, reached 0.0489 and 0.0291, respectively. Tribological tests revealed pronounced temperature-dependent wear behavior: abrasive wear was predominant at 25 °C; adhesive wear dominated from 200 to 600 °C; and oxidative wear became the primary mechanism at 800 °C. Throughout this temperature range, the CeF3 phase effectively reduced wear damage by suppressing groove propagation and providing effective lubrication, particularly under high-temperature conditions.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma18173983

Authors: Ouyang Li, Guirong Yang, Wenming Song, Ying Ma

Institution: Lanzhou University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Surface Treatment and Coatings

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Laboratory of Advanced Reactor Engineering and Safety of Ministry of Education