Wear maps for TiC composite based coatings deposited on 303 stainless steel

Dry sliding wear (pin-on-disc) tests were carried out under ambient conditions at room temperature for TiC coated and uncoated 303 stainless steel, using alumina as a counterface. The composite coating which was developed by Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) methods increased the surface hardness of the substrate and the sliding wear resistance of the substrate. Wear maps for both uncoated and coated materials were developed on the basis of tests results. The results indicated that the role of oxidative wear differed significantly for both coated and uncoated materials on the wear map. In addition, it was found that TiC composite coatings not only increased the wear resistance but also expanded the mild wear region towards higher loads and sliding speeds.