Synthesis and characterization of hard metal coatings by electro-plasma technology

Electro-plasma technology (EPT) is a cathodic atmospheric plasma process which has shown great promise for the deposition of metal coatings exhibiting excellent adhesion to the substrate along with high deposition rates. The present study involves synthesis and characterization of molybdenum coatings using EPT processing. The morphology, composition and structure of Mo-coated surfaces were characterized. The results indicate the successful deposition of molybdenum, with molybdenum alloyed into the surface of both the 4330V steel and Inconel 718 substrates. The surface morphology and roughness of the coated samples reflect unique EPT-induced micro-roughness features. Superposition of the EPT-induced micro-roughness profile on the macro-roughness profile of the substrate surface provides the potential to improve adhesion characteristics of surface. An increase in hardness observed on Mo-coated steel indicates potential to produce hard surfaces by EPT, leading to many advanced applications. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.