Performance analysis of GO gel composite coating on electro-spark deposited surfaces

The uneven surface roughness observed in the electro-spark deposition (ESD) process can be attributed to the unsteady pulsed electrical energy. ESD coating frequently needs to be processed in order to achieve higher surface quality. The surface of the coating undergoes processing techniques such as grinding, ultrasonic processing, and rolling. Because some coatings are hard and the surface hardness is uneven, surface processing is complicated. When a grinder is used for processing, the coating thickness is not easy to control. The product performance is uneven. When non-metallic coatings are used, it can enhance the surface quality of the coating. This study used a composite coating of sodium silicate and lubricating particles. Three coating schemes were studied. Graphene oxide (GO) gel and sodium silicate composite coating have the best overall performance. It can effectively improve the surface quality of the coating, with less roughness and better wear resistance. Graphene oxide gel is used to solve the problem of lubricating particle agglomeration. When it was actually applied to the SKH51 layer, the surface roughness Ra was reduced from 1.086µm to 0.113µm. It is effective in reducing friction and wear.