Tribological performances of Ni ₃SiCr ₇C ₃ composite coatings under water and acid environments

The Ni ₃SiCr ₇C ₃ composite coatings with various contents of Cr ₇C ₃ were deposited on the AISI 1020 steel substrate by self-propagating high temperature synthesis casting and their tribological performances were studied under water and acid environments. The results demonstrated that all the Ni ₃SiCr ₇C ₃ composite coatings showed excellent friction-reduction, and wear resistance performances compared to the substrate and the AISI 321 stainless steel. While it is worth noting that the coating containing 37.2 wt.% of Cr ₇C ₃ exhibited the best tribological performances. In addition, the friction reduction and wear resistant mechanism was also discussed and considered to be microploughing under both water and acid environments.