Modified boron containing coating for improved wear and pitting resistance

Abstract

The invention consists of a coated metallic component which exhibits improved wear and pitting resistance, and a method for making the invention. A metallic component is coated with a functionally gradient material utilizing both a non-oxide containing coating and boron oxide coating. This invention is useful for rolling and sliding contacts.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A component comprising: 
 a metallic substrate;    a first coating deposited on said metallic substrate using a deposition process, said first coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness being in the range up to 3.0 microns;    a second coating deposited on said first coating using a deposition process, said second coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness being in the range of up to 1.0 microns; and    a third coating deposited on said second coating using a deposition process, said third coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness being in the range of up to 0.5 microns.    
     
     
         2 . The component as in  claim 1 , wherein said first coating is selected from the group consisting of a non-oxide boron containing coating.  
     
     
         3 . The component as in  claim 2 , wherein said first coating is boron carbide.  
     
     
         4 . The component as in  claim 2 , wherein said first coating is boron nitride.  
     
     
         5 . The component as in  claim 1 , wherein said third coating is boron oxide.  
     
     
         6 . A method for reducing the coefficient of friction at the interface of a metallic substrate movably positioned in contacting relation to a second metallic substrate, said method comprising: 
 preparing a metallic substrate;    depositing a first coating in a coating chamber on said metallic substrate using a deposition process, said first coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness being in the range of up to 3.0 microns;    introducing an oxygen gas into said coating chamber during said deposition process;    forming a second coating on said first coating using said deposition process said second coating being a functionally gradient material, said second coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness up to 1.0 microns;    forming a third coating on said second coating using said deposition process said second coating being a functionally gradient material, said third coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness up to 0.5 microns.    
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein said first coating is selected from the group consisting of non-oxide containing coatings.  
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 7 , wherein said first coating is boron carbide.  
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 7 , wherein said first coating is boron nitride.  
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein said first coating is third coating is boron oxide.  
     
     
         11 . A method for reducing the coefficient of friction at the interface of metallic substrate movably positioned in contacting relation to a second metallic substrate, said method comprising: 
 preparing a metallic substrate;    depositing a first coating in a coating chamber on said metallic substrate using a deposition process said first coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness being in the range of up to 3.0 microns;    heating said first coating to a temperature above about 500 degrees C. in an oxygenated furnace;    reacting for about 1 hour;    forming a second coating; said second coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness up to 1.0 microns;    forming a third coating, said third coating having a pre-established thickness, said pre-established thickness up to 0.5 microns.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said first coating is selected from the group consisting of non-oxide containing coatings.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said first coating is boron carbide.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said first coating is boron nitride.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  where said third coating is boron oxide.