Elevated temperature tribological performance of non-equiatomic CoCrNiTiWx high entropy alloy coatings developed by mechanical alloying and high-velocity oxy-fuel spray

High entropy alloys (HEA) have applications in multiple fields owing to their exceptional mechanical and physical properties. In the current study, mechanical alloyed CoCrNiTiWx (x; a molar fraction, x = 0.5 and 1.5) HEA feedstock powders were deposited on maraging steel substrate using high-velocity oxy-fuel spray (HVOF). The phase evolution and the microstructure of the milled powders and as-sprayed coatings were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tribological behaviour of CoCrNiTiW0.5 and CoCrNiTiW1.5 HEA coatings at elevated temperatures was studied extensively using a Pin-on-Disc tribometer. The CoCrNiTiW0.5 and CoCrNiTiW1.5 HEA coatings retained the BCC solid solution phases formed during the milling stage. However, additional oxide and intermetallic phases were formed owing to the in-flight oxidation and high temperatures experienced during the HVOF deposition. The deposited coatings exhibited a lamellar structure and good mechanical bonding with the substrate. The porosities of CoCrNiTiW0.5 and CoCrNiTiW1.5 HEA coatings were found to be 1.69 ± 0.32 % and 1.51 ± 0.37 % respectively.Consequently, the CoCrNiTiW0.5 and CoCrNiTiW1.5 HEA coatings displayed average microhardness values of 863 ± 52 HV0.3 and 1025 ± 39 HV0.3, respectively. Further, the wear rates of coatings exhibited a significant reduction at elevated temperatures, owing to the formation of TiO2, NiCr2O4 oxide tribofilms for CoCrNiTiW0.5, and CoCr2O4, NiWO4, WO3 oxides for CoCrNiTiW1.5. The specific wear rate of CoCrNiTiW0.5 HEA coating dropped by 73.6 % from 22.7 ± 2.6 × 10−6 mm3/N-m to 5.99 ± 1.9 × 10−6 mm3/N-m, while CoCrNiTiW1.5 dropped by 78.8 % from 11.86 ± 3.5 × 10−6 mm3/N-m to 2.51 ± 1.5 × 10−6 mm3/N-m, with a rise in the temperature from RT to 600 °C. Likewise, The frictional coefficients of CoCrNiTiW0.5 HEA dropped from 0.504 ± 0.015 to 0.397 ± 0.005, while CoCrNiTiW1.5 HEA dropped from 0.578 ± 0.025 to 0.471 ± 0.004, with a rise in temperature from RT to 600 °C. At room temperature, the wear mechanisms of the as-sprayed CoCrNiTiWx coatings were dominated by adhesive wear. However, at elevated temperatures, a shift towards oxidative wear was observed.