Alternative au chrome

Abstract

Hard Chromium plating is usually used as a protective coating against friction, wear and corrosion, and 0 restore to original dimensions the worn surfaces. However, such a technology presents harmful effects on the environment and the public health and it exhibits moreover some intrinsic technical limitations. HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) thermal spraying process appears as more environmentally friendly than chromium plating process. In such a way, HVOF process appears as an alternative to hard chromium plating for oil and gas equipments, by reducing the frequency of maintenance operation and repair and by deferring the need to fabricate or to buy replacement parts for used engines of previous generation. The purpose of this study was to investigate and to compare microstructural properties, wear resistance, and potentials of HVOF sprayed Tribaloy0-400, Cr3C2-25%NiCr and WC-12%Co coatings for a possible replacement of hard chromium plating. It was shown that HVOF thermal spray coatings exhibit the adequate properties compared to electrodeposited hard chromium coatings.