Laser Treatment of Electro-Spark Coatings Deposited in the Carbon Steel Substrate with using Nanostructured WC-Cu Electrodes

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of laser treatment for the improving mechanical and tribological properties coatings fabricated in the C45 carbon steel by ESD process. The studies were conducted using WC-Cu electrodes produced by sintering nanostructural powders and molten with a laser beam. The tests proved that ESD WC-Cu coatings are characterized by lower hardness and friction coefficient, but higher roughness. The result of laser processing improves structure by refinement, healing of microcracks and pores of ESD coatings. Laser treated ESD coatings can be applied in sliding friction pairs and as protective coatings.