Abstract: The sliding wear behaviors of ZrO2-22 wt pct MgO (MZ) and ZrO2-8 wt pct Y2O3 (YZ) coatings deposited on a cast aluminum alloy with bond layer (NiCrCoAlY) by plasma spray were investigated under dry test conditions at room temperature. Under all load conditions, the wear mechanisms of the MZ and YZ coatings were almost the same. The material transfer and pullout were involved in the wear process of the studied coatings under the test conditions. The wear rate of the MZ coating was less than that of the YZ coating. While increasing the normal load, the wear rates of the MZ and YZ coatings increased. SEM was used to examine the worn surfaces and to elucidate likely wear mechanisms. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of the worn surfaces indicated that material transfer occurred in the direction from the SiC ball to the disk. Fracture toughness had a significant influence on the wear performance of the coatings. It was suggested that the material transfer played an important role in the wear behavior.

Key words: Plasma spray, Zirconia coating, Wear mechanism, Fracture toughness