Friction and wear behavior of electrodeposited amorphous Fe-Co-W alloy deposits

The microstructures, friction and wear behavior under dry sliding condition of electrodeposited amorphous Fe-Co-W alloy deposits heat treated at different temperatures were studied. A comparative study of hard chrome deposit under the same testing condition was also made. The experimental results show that the hardness and wear resistance of amorphous Fe-Co-W alloy deposits are improved with the increasing of heat treatment temperature, and reach the maximum value at 800°C, then decrease above 800°C. Under 40 N load, the wear resistance properties of the alloy deposits heat treated at 800°C are superior to those of hard chrome deposit. The main wear mechanisms of amorphous Fe-Co-W alloy deposits heat treated below 600°C are peeling, plastic and flowing deformation; when the deposits are heat treated above 700°C, they are plastic and flowing deformation. While the main wear mechanisms of hard chrome are abrasive wear, fatigue and peeling.