Comparative tribological behavior of

V(N,C) and VC diffusion coatings

F. Fazlalipour1, N. Shakib1, M. Niki Nushari1, A. Shokuhfar2
1Iran

Radiator Company, P.O. Box 433718-7966, Rasht, Iran, R&D Dept

2K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Introduction:

Results:

Results:

The hard thin carbide and/or nitrocarbide coatings such

as vanadium carbide (VC) and vanadium nitrocarbide
(V(N,C)) obtained by TRD process have been proven to
be the most effective materials to improve wear and
corrosion resistance of tool steels employed in the
forming and die-casting industry. Vanadizing alone
provides high hardness on the surface but it has no
flawless effect on the substrate properties. The further
improvements in the service life of hot work die steels
could be achieved by duplex process which creates
considerably thicker V(N,C) layer than that of VC, with
gradual variation in hardness and interfacial properties
thought surface to the substrate, and provide a tough
and supportive sub-surface for the hard layer. The aim
of this work is to study tribological properties and wear
mechanisms of V(N,C) coating in comparison with VC
coated samples against cemented tungsten carbide pin.

V(N,C) layer consists of V-C-N, V-C and V-N phases and

the VC surface layer composed of V-C phase (Fig. 2).

The VC provides abrasive wear with grooves parallel to the

sliding direction and wear debris trapped between them.
But, for the V(N,C) the negligible plastic deformation and
polished surface without any severe abrasion. (Fig. 6a,b).

4450
3950

1450

3450

950

Intensity

2950

Vanadium nitrocarbide

2450

-50
1950
1950
1450
950

950

450

450

Vanadium carbide

-50

-50 10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

Fig. 2. X-ray diffraction pattern of the V(N,C) and VC layers.

Coefficient of friction of V(N,C) is lower than VC (Fig .3).

1

Coefficient of friction,

Fig. 3. Steady-state coefficient

of friction and depth of wear scar.

VC

0.9

Materials. Surface coating treatments were performed on

DIN 1.2367 hot work tool steel.

450

1450

0.95

Method

V-C-N
V-C
V-N
-FeV
-Fe

1950

V(N,C)

0.85

Fig. 6. SEM-SE micrograph of ;(a) the V(N,C) and (b) VC wear scare.

The SEM-BSI micrograph and EDS analysis of the wear

scare of V(N,C) and VC (Fig. 7a,b) determine smooth and
uniform oxidized coating and picked pin materials particles
respectively.
Transferred pin
debris

0.8
0.75
0.7
0.65

Oxidized
coating

0.6
0.55
0.5

Wear test. Wear and friction tests of coated disk were

performed using a Pin-on-Disk sliding wear test machine.

35

70

105

140

175

210

Loal, N

The V(N,C) shows low depth of wear scar in comparison

with the VC (Fig .4).

Oxidized coating

Transferred
pin debris

15

Fig. 4. Depth of wear scar

after 700 m sliding.

70 N
12.5

Depth of wear scar m

Coating processes. The V(N,C) and the VC coatings were

created on disk-shaped samples by Duplex and TRD
Vanadizing treatment respectively at 1050C. Duplex
treatment was performed by the Pre-nitrocarburising in a
fluidized bed furnace followed by TRD vanadizing
process.

Chemical and microstructure analysis. Optical, SEM (

BSI,SE) microscopy, EDS and XRD analyze was done.

140 N
210 N

10
7.5
5

Fig. 7. SEM-BSI micrograph an d EDS of ;(a) the VC and (b) V(N,C) surface.

2.5
0

Coating

Results:

Conclusions:

In the TRD process Nitrogen and Carbon content of

compound layer and diffusional zone, created in Prenitrocarburising, diffuse towards the surface.
Diffusion alloying reaction occurs between vanadium
nitrogen and carbon to form a distinct layer as below:

The V(N,C) coating wear map shows simultaneous

influence of sliding distance and normal load on
volumetric wear rate (Fig .5).
V(C,N) Wear rate, mm3/m
5.0e-4

V(deposited) + [N,C]

200

V(N,C)

-4
5e
3.

4.5e-4

e-4
3.0

The coated layers are dense, smooth and compact

whit uniform thickness all over the surface. Fig.(1a,b)

4.0e-4

-The V(N,C) coating shows a suitable wear resistance

due to existence of stable protective oxide layer and the
superior tough and supportive sub-surface.

e-4
2.5

150
e-4
2.0

Load, N

1.5e-4

100

-The coefficient of friction of V(N,C) is lower than VC

coating due to activation of tribe-chemical mechanism
and oxidation as a results of temperatures increment at
the contact interface.

1.0e-4

-4
5e
1.

-5
5.0e

50
1.0e-4

5.0e-5

40m

20m

0
100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Distance, m

Fig. 1. Optical micrograph of ;(a) the V(N,C) and (b) VC coated steel.

-Contrary to its high hardness (268040 HV), the VC

coating does NOT provide a good sliding wear resistance,
because, the protective oxide layer is NOT uniform and
adhered on the coating surface, moreover, substrate is
NOT an adequate mechanical support for the VC coating.

-Wear mechanism of V(N,C) is controlled by oxidizing and

micro-polishing of protective oxide layer; however,
abrasive wear is dominant wear mechanisms in the VC.

Fig. 5. Wear map of V(N,C) coating

Refrences:

Acknowledgements:

More Information:

-S. Sen, U. Sen, Sliding wear behavior of niobium carbide

coated AISI 1040 steel, Wear 219-225.
-Sales O, Kearns K, Carrera S, Moore JJ. Tribological
behavior of candidate coating for Al die casting dies.
Surface Coating Technol 2001;172:11727.
-Habig : Mater. Des , (1980) 83-92.

The authors gratefully acknowledge Mr. J. Pajohesh

M.Ghorbandoust for supports and encouragements. The
authors also thank Mr. C. Shiva and A. Saba for editing of
the text.

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