Fabrication of Intermetallic Coatings by Electrospark Deposition of Titanium and Aluminum onto Steel Substrates

CZU 537.523.4

This paper deals with the formation of titanium aluminide coatings by the electrospark deposition and the investigation of their properties. The coatings were prepared by the sequential deposition of titanium and aluminum onto steel 35 in various atmospheres (argon, air). It has been established that intermetallics TiAl₃ and Al₃Ti_0,75Fe_0,25 are formed as a result of the doping of the surface layer on the steel substrate. The preferred deposition arrangement is "titanium–aluminum". Titanium nitride and aluminum oxide have been detected in the coatings deposited in air. The protective coatings allowed us to increase the wear resistance of the steel substrate 3–4 times and the heat resistance – 11–16 times.

Keywords: electrospark deposition, titanium, aluminum, intermetallic, wear resistance, heat resistance.