Nanocrystalline Cermet Coatings for Erosion–Corrosion Protection

The processing techniques, microstructural characteristics, and erosion corrosion behaviour of Cr3C2–NiCr and tungsten carbide (WC)-based cermet coatings are reviewed in this work. Conventional and nanocrystalline Cr3C2–NiCr and WC-based cermet coatings are generally synthesized using thermal spray technique. The wear, erosion, and corrosion protection ability of conventional and nanocermet coatings are compared based on available literature. In Cr3C2–NiCr coatings, the corrosion resistance is offered by NiCr metal matrix while the wear resistance is provided by the carbide ceramic phase, making it suitable for erosion–corrosion protection. The nanocrystalline cermet coatings exhibits better erosion–corrosion resistance as compared to the conventional coatings. The nanocrystalline coatings reduces the erosion–corrosion rate significantly compared to conventional coatings. It is attributed to the presence of the protective NiCr metallic binder that allows easier and faster re-passivation when the coating is subjected to wear and the fine-grain structure with homogeneous distribution of the skeleton network of hard carbide phases. In addition, corrosion-accelerated erosion dominates the reaction mechanism of erosion–corrosion and, therefore, higher hardness, strength, and better wear resistance of nanocermet coating along with its faster repassivation kinetics accounts for improved corrosion resistance as compared to conventional coatings.