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The tribological behaviour of NiCrBSi plasma spray coatings partially melted by laser was investigated. Partial melting provides dual property surface coatings: melted areas, with a homogenous microstructure; and plasma spray areas, with porosity and cracks. This paper studies the influence of two geometrical properties of the partially melted surfaces: the angle of the laser tracks, and the ratio of the melted surface. Laser melting was performed using a 1700 W CO₂ laser and wear tests were carried out using a block-on-ring tribometer in pure sliding lubricated contact.

The main wear mechanism and the interaction of the geometrical properties of the coating are discussed in this paper. The results of wear tests indicate that the best percentage of melted surface to reduce the wear rate is 46%, whereas the track angle is not found to be a major factor influencing the wear rate. The study of Coefficient of Friction (COF …