Influence of the Substrate Hardness on the Rolling Contact Fatigue of WC-17%Co Hardmetal Coatings

In this paper, as part of a systematic study on the rolling contact fatigue of HVOF-sprayed hardmetal coatings, the behavior of WC-17%Co coatings on hardened and nonhardened substrates is compared. To obtain a meaningful assessment, the coatings were applied to roller specimens made from soft as well as case-hardened MnCr steel. Two coating thicknesses were used with the expectation that maximum stress will occur in the substrate, in one case, and in the other case, in the coating. Test results show that the durability of HVOF-sprayed WC-Co is significantly better on nonhardened (soft) substrates and that the limiting factor for endurable Hertz pressure is the fatigue strength of the coating.