Effect of High-Temperature-Assisted Ultrasonic Deep Rolling on Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Ni-WC Coatings

Cermet coatings are post-treated by a new surface microcrystallization technology, namely high-temperature-assisted ultrasonic deep rolling (HT + UDR). The process parameters of ultrasonic deep rolling significantly affect the microstructure and tribological properties of the Ni-WC coatings. In this paper, the samples were treated with different preloading depths (0.20 mm, 0.25 mm, and 0.30 mm), and the microstructure and properties of the coatings were characterized by SEM, EDS, X-ray stress analysis, and micro-Vickers hardness testing. An MMW-1A-type friction and wear tester was used for the dry friction and wear test at room temperature, respectively. Compared with the untreated sample, plastic rheology occurred on the surface of the coatings after HT + UDR, showing a phenomenon of “cutting peaks and filling valleys”. In the treated coatings, visible cracks were eliminated, and the inside of the coating was denser. The surface hard phase was increased as a “skeleton” and embedded with the soft phase, which played a role in strong and tough bonding. After HT + UDR + 0.25 mm treatment, the surface roughness increased by 68%, the microhardness of the surface layer reached a maximum of 726.3 HV0.1, and the residual tensile stress changed from 165.5 MPa to −337.9 MPa, which inhibited the germination and propagation of cracks. HT + UDR improved the wear resistance of the coating in many aspects. The coating after the 0.25 mm preloading depth treatment possessed the smallest friction coefficient and the lowest wear amount, which is 0.04 and 4.5 mg, respectively. The wear form was abrasive wear, and the comprehensive tribological performance is the best.