Application of boron carbide coatings by pulsed electron beam evaporation

Abstract

Boron carbide coating by pulsed electron evaporation is a modern technology used to create durable and wear-resistant coatings. The work demonstrates the possibility of applying a boron carbide coating to the WC-8%Co hard alloy using the method of pulsed electron evaporation of a target, with preliminary preparation of the sample. The microstructure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis. It was determined that after coating the surface of WC-8%Co, a coating containing the BC5 phase is formed. The hardness of the coating was 30±1.1 GPa. The results obtained open up prospects for using this method for applying protective, wear-resistant coatings to the surface of hard alloy products.