The structure, phase composition, and microhardness of TiC-Ti plasma cermet coating
Coatings Ti and TiC-Ti were sprayed in Ar-N plasma with the local protection of the plasma with a nozzle. Melting a titanium phase and interaction of sprayed material particles with the plasma and atmospheric nitrogen/oxygen are takes place in the process of spraying. As compared with initial powder, carbon content in the coating is reduced from 11.1 to 9.23% as well as nitrogen and oxygen content is increased from 0.077 to 1.23% and from 2.73 to 3.45% respectively. Microhardness of TiC-Ti cermet coating under 20 g indenter load is 17.8 GPa that determined by a decrease in the content of Ti2<sup>C </sup>carbide from 100 to 76% and an increase in microhardness of matrix Ti phase. Composition of TiC0.5<sup>N</sup>0.1<sup>O</sup>0.17 carbide phase was estimated and its microhardness in the coating was evaluated as 19.6 GPa.