Impregnation of an hvof coating by a lubricant

Abstract

The invention provides a method of protecting a metal substrate coated in a coating of WC—Co—Cr type by the HVOF method, the method comprising applying a lubricating agent on the coating, which lubricating agent comprises particles of solid lubricant incorporated in a fluid having surface tension that is low enough to penetrate into the pores of the coating and to entrain the solid lubricant particles therein.

1 . A method of protecting a metal substrate coated in a coating by the HVOF method, the method comprising applying a lubricating agent on the coating, which lubricating agent comprises particles of solid lubricant incorporated in a fluid having surface tension that is low enough to penetrate into the pores of the coating and to entrain the solid lubricant particles therein. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is of the WC—Co—Cr type. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricant particles are selected from graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and tungsten disulfide. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, after applying the lubricating agent, a mechanical operation is performed of closing the pores of the coating, at least in part, by machining and/or grinding and/or polishing a surface portion of the coating.