Effect of Parameters of Electric Spark Discharge on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Steel 45 Surface after the ESA Electrodes Based on WC–8%Co with Chromium–Carbide Additives

Abstract

The work studies the effects of the parameters of electric spark discharge and tungsten carbide-based electrode materials on electric spark alloying using chromium carbide nanopowder additives on the physico-chemical and operational characteristics of the coating surface. It is found that an increase in the surface roughness occurs with an increase in the duration of the electric spark discharge from 20 to 80 μs with a standard WC–8%Co hard alloy. The addition of 1–5% nanopowder of the grain growth inhibitor improves the physicochemical properties of coatings, reduces surface roughness, and increases wear resistance.