An investigation of sliding wear behaviour of WC–Co coating

Dry sliding wear tests on specimens of mild steel (MS) and WC coated mild steel (MSC) specimens were performed against a hardened EN32 steel (EN32) and a WC coated EN32 steel (EN32C) discs. Four different combinations of specimen and counter surface were tested under dry sliding conditions. Results suggest that wear mechanisms differ depending on the combination of materials under sliding contact. Expectedly the MS specimen suffered high wear loss, but the MSC specimen showed interesting results. When slid against EN32, MSC specimens showed negative wear results whereas positive wear results occurred against EN32C. Steady wear rate was attained after a critical sliding distance.