Effect of pvd coating method on wear performance of hydraulic pump components

The aim of this study was to increase the wear performance and lifetime of hydraulic gear pump components. For this purpose, semi-finished specimens were manufactured from 16MnCr5 case hardening steel and GGG55 nodular cast iron materials. Semi-finished specimens were prepared as a combination of heat treated (carburizing, plasma nitriding) and non-heat treated materials. Finished specimens comprised of TiN, CrN, TiAlN coated (via PVD Cathodic Arch Deposition method) and uncoated materials. Heat treated / non-heat treated, coated / uncoated combinations of specimens were subjected to in vitro tribological tests using a wear testing apparatus. After the tests wear behaviors, wear rates and wear types of specimen combinations were evaluated in an attempt to determine their optimum wear and lifetime behaviors. Suggestions were provided on how to increase the wear and lifetime behaviors.