TRIBOLOGICAL AND CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF SiC/TaXC BILAYER COATINGS PREPARED ON STAINLESS STEEL SURFACE BY DOUBLE GLOW PLASMA SURFACE ALLOYING TECHNIQUE

In this work, SiC/TaxC bilayer coatings were prepared on stainless steel surface by double glow plasma surface alloying technique to improve the wear and corrosion resistance of the substrate. The effect of reaction temperature during the growth of SiC on the microstructure and property of the coating was investigated. The results showed that the surface topography of the coating could be regulated by the reaction temperature during the growth of SiC. Interactional flower-shaped rings, reticulate patterns, nanoparticles and microparticles were observed on the samples prepared at 750 degrees C, 800 degrees C, 850 degrees C and 900 degrees C, respectively. Tribological performance tests showed that the friction coefficient and specific wear rate of all the coated specimens were significantly decreased than the uncoated ones, indicating that the wear resistance of stainless steel was improved by the SiC/TaxC coating. The construction of the bilayer coating enhanced the corrosion resistance of stainless steel in terms of electrochemical tests. With an increase of the reaction temperature, the wear and corrosion resistance increased at first and then gradually decreased. SiC/TaxC coating prepared at 800 degrees C exhibited the best overall performance.