WC-Co Tungsten Carbide

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  • HVAF and HVOF WC-Co tungsten carbide coatings exhibit excellent resistance to sliding wear, abrasion and erosion but have slight lower corrosion resistance than WC-CoCr.
  • HVAF WC-Co thermal spray coatings are non-permeable to gas and liquid at even 50 microns.
  • Tungsten carbide WC-12Co layers are resistant to sliding wear, impact, abrasion and fretting at temperatures up to 510ºC, preferably in non-corrosive media.
  • HVOF or HVAF coating tungsten carbide can be used in a dry non-corrosive environment

HVOF and HVAF WCCo Tungsten Carbide Coatings in India

HVOF technology generally used for WC coating application sometimes generates material oxidation and decomposition of WC coating feedstock materials during in-process HVOF deposition.

It is directly related to the high combustion temperature which is more than 3000ºC as well as the presence of oxygen in HVOF combustion products. This usually results in coating embrittlement and further reduction of service life in the condition of abrasive and erosive wear.

For tungsten carbide coating process-based powders, particle velocity exceeds 700-900 m/s, while particle surface temperature remains about 100˚c below the melting point of the metallic binder, allowing HVAF equipment to operate in a “solid-particle” spray mode. The latter is possible due to the relatively low combustion temperature of air-gaseous fuel mixtures at 3.5 – 4.5 bar chamber pressure.

The result is a formation of coatings with extremely low oxygen content as well as little, if any, thermal deterioration of carbides. Improved toughness, cohesion and low residual stresses in the HVAF sprayed layers permit routine deposition of thick coated carbide, the superfinishing of tungsten coating to an optical mirror, as well as result in noticeable improvement of fatigue resistance of the coatings.

HVAF combustion temperature below 2000°C, the surface temperature of cobalt and chromium alloy particles usually remains near their melting point.

A characteristic feature of the HVAF process is that particles are heated gently and not fused during spraying.

Uniformly high hardness and ductility, low stress and porosity result in a substantial increase in the service life of parts protected with HVAF WC-Co coatings in comparison with HVOF tungsten carbide plating versions.

HVOF and HVAF WCCo Tungsten Carbide Coatings in India

Tungsten carbide coatings with cobalt (WC-Co) are highly popular for their wear resistance, ranking second only to WC-10Co-4Cr coatings. EWS's HVAF and HVOF tungsten carbide coatings exhibit exceptional resistance to sliding wear, abrasion, and erosion, even though their corrosion resistance may be slightly lower compared to WCCoCr.
Notably, EWS's HVAF WCCo coatings boast a gas-tight quality, preventing the permeation of gas and liquid at a thickness of 50 microns or 2 mils. 

 

H2 HVOF and HVAF Tungsten Carbide Coating: Characteristics, Structure, and Applications

Tungsten carbide coatings with cobalt (WC-Co) are highly popular for their wear resistance, ranking second only to WC-10Co-4Cr coatings. EWS's HVAF and HVOF tungsten carbide coatings exhibit exceptional resistance to sliding wear, abrasion, and erosion, even though their corrosion resistance may be slightly lower compared to WCCoCr.

Notably, EWS's HVAF WCCo coatings boast a gas-tight quality, preventing the permeation of gas and liquid at a thickness of 50 microns or 2 mils.

WCCo 88/12 Powder Properties

WCCo 88/12 Powder Properties Wt.%
Tungsten Carbide Base
Total Carbon 5.3 – 5.4
Cobalt 11–13

Powders are available on the market where cobalt is replaced with nickel.

Micrograph of the WCCo 88-12 Thermal Spray Coating

Typical Applications of WCCo coatings in India

  • Steel rolls.
  • Corrugated rolls.
  • Sucker rods.
  • Exhaust fans.
  • Conveyor screws.

The Steel Properties of HVAF and HVOF WC-Co Tungsten Carbide Coatings

When it comes to thermal spray coatings, WC-12Co coatings are known for their superior hardness compared to WC-17Co coatings. This heightened hardness is a result of higher levels of tungsten carbide in the coating.

HVAF WC-Co-Cr Carbide Coating Properties

Feature S.I. Unit
Apparent metallographic porosity <0.1
Bond strength of tungsten carbide coating to carbon PSI 12,000+
hardness range, HV300 1150-1600
hardness deviation from a target value, HV300 ±60
typical as-sprayed roughness Ra, microns 3
maximum coating thickness, mm 3
the maximum working temperature of the coating, °C 510


The tungsten carbide WC-12Co coatings offer excellent resistance to sliding wear, impact, abrasion, and fretting at temperatures up to 510°C (950°F), especially in non-corrosive environments. For applications at even higher temperatures, we recommend considering chromium carbide coatings. These coatings, enriched with tungsten carbide, act as a shield, safeguarding substrates from the detrimental effects of fretting, abrasive grains, particle erosion, and dynamic contact with hard surfaces. Ideal for use in dry, non-corrosive settings, these tungsten carbide coatings on steel provide effective abrasion resistance.

While High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) technology is commonly used for WC coating applications, it often leads to noticeable material oxidation and WC decomposition during the deposition process. The decomposition of WC-Co coatings is closely tied to the high combustion temperature, typically exceeding 3,000°C (5,432°F), and the presence of oxygen in HVOF combustion products. This results in coating embrittlement, leading to a reduced service lifetime in conditions involving abrasive and erosive wear. EWS's High-Velocity Air Fuel (HVAF) systems offer a solution. These systems use gas fuel and compressed air for combustion at significantly lower temperatures while achieving higher velocities than traditional HVOF coating systems.

With the HVAF combustion temperature below 2,000°C (3,632°F), the surface temperature of Co-, Ni-, and Fe-alloy particles usually remains close to their melting point. Utilizing the EWS HVAF spraying process for depositing WC-Co coatings eliminates coating embrittlement, enhancing hardness and density. Additionally, this process reduces production costs due to higher spray rates and the use of air instead of pure oxygen.

A notable aspect of the EWS HVAF process is that spray particles are heated but not necessarily fused during spraying, setting it apart from other methods in the industry.

FAQ's

Assume a material that is so strong that it is resistant to scratches, wear, and even corrosion. Tungsten Carbide (WC) is all about this. This incredibly hard material comes in the form of fine, grey powder and acts like a super shield for surfaces. It protects them from damage caused by scratches, wear, and tear, and even keeps them safe from nasty things like rust and erosion. In short, Tungsten Carbide is the ultimate protector for your surfaces.

Imagine a powerful blast of oxygen-fueled energy, hurling tiny particles of tungsten carbide at the surface. That's what HVOF (High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel) coating is all about. These particles are packed with energy, but when they slam into the surface, that energy is absorbed, creating a durable coating. What is the maximum temperature for tungsten carbide coating? Chromium carbide can withstand much hotter temperatures than tungsten carbide. While tungsten carbide can handle up to 730°F (400°C), chromium carbide can handle up to 1300°F (725°C).

Tungsten carbide is a special material that belongs to a group of carbon-based compounds. It's incredibly hard and strong, making it perfect for various applications. One of its main uses is to strengthen other materials. It's added to cast iron to make it tougher, and it's used to coat the cutting edges of tools like saws and drills, giving them extra durability. But that's not all! Tungsten carbide is also strong enough to pierce armor. It's used in the cores of armor-piercing projectiles, allowing them to penetrate even the most heavily fortified defenses.

It depends on what you want to use them for. For everyday wear, you can find tungsten carbide rings for around $50-$100, making them a great budget-friendly option. But if you're looking for a special ring, like a wedding band, you can expect to pay more. The price will vary depending on the design, additional materials (like diamonds or gold), and brand.