Influence of laser texturing on hydrophobicity and slurry erosion behaviour of VC-CuNiCr based HVOF coatings

Superhydrophobic surfaces had gained attention all over the world owing to their unique properties such as self-cleaning, drag reduction, and anti-bacterial etc. The current research has used the laser texturing approach to create a micro-textured surface over SS316 steel with HVOF sprayed VC and CuNi-Cr coating. Aspects of static contact angle, cross-sectional characterization, hardness, erosive wear resistance were compared with textured and non-textured surfaces. Slurry erosion experimentation was conducted as per ASTM G-73 standards using water (slurry) jet erosion test rig. From the results, it was concluded that laser texturing can be used as an effective technique for enhancing the static contact angle; development of pillar like structure can be said as a probable reason for the development of said effect. The failure mechanism was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images; and it was noted that hard surfaces experienced brittle mode of failure whereas soft surfaces experienced ductile mode of failure.