TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF PVD AND ELECTROPLATED AIRCRAFT COATINGS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18372/0370-2197.3(112).21626

Keywords:

titanium alloy VT-22, vacuum-arc PVD coatings, electroplated chromium, molybdenum coating, sliding wear, AMG-10 hydraulic fluid, adhesive wear, substrate effect

Abstract

This paper investigates the tribological behavior in sliding friction and the wear resistance of cathodic vacuum-arc (PVD) and electroplated coatings deposited onto high-strength titanium alloy VT-22 and structural steel VKS-170. The relevance of the study is driven by the urgent need to replace environmentally hazardous hard chrome plating with vacuum-arc PVD alternatives, as well as to overcome the high tendency of titanium alloys toward adhesive seizure and galling in aerospace friction units. Face-sliding friction tests were conducted in an AMG-10 aviation hydraulic fluid medium against an AISI 1045 steel counterbody (45–50 HRC). The investigated surface systems included electroplated hard chromium, cathodic vacuum-arc coatings of hard chromium, soft chromium, and molybdenum, as well as uncoated base materials. The experimental findings demonstrate that electroplated chromium exhibits the lowest wear rate. Among the vacuum-arc deposits, hard chromium and molybdenum demonstrate high wear resistance on the VT-22 alloy, which, coupled with exceptional adhesion strength, positions them as viable, eco-friendly substitutes for galvanic chrome plating. Conversely, soft PVD chromium showed poor durability due to a porous columnar microstructure. Uncoated VT-22 suffered catastrophic adhesive seizure driven by localized microwelding and lubricant film breakdown. Additionally, a pronounced substrate (eggshell) effect was identified: the higher elastic compliance of VT-22 increased stress concentrations within thin functional layers, yielding 30–50% higher wear than on the stiffer VKS-170 steel. Practical recommendations are formulated for applying thick PVD coatings in aerospace pivot joints and plain bearings.

Author Biographies

Oleksandr Yakobchuk, National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute”

Candidate technical of Sciences, associate professor of the Department of Aviation Engineering, National university KAI, 1 Lubomyra Huzar Ave., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03058

Hanna Marinchenko, National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute”

Candidate of Technical Sciences, associate professor, associate professor of the Department of General Physics, National university KAI, 1 Lubomyra Huzar Ave., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03058

Mykhailo Svyryd, National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute”

Candidate of Technical Sciences, associate professor, associate professor of the Department of Aviation Engineering, National university KAI, 1 Lubomyra Huzar Ave., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03058

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Published

2026-10-18

How to Cite

Yakobchuk, O., Marinchenko, H., & Svyryd, M. (2026). TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF PVD AND ELECTROPLATED AIRCRAFT COATINGS. Problems of Friction and Wear, (3(112), 160–168. https://doi.org/10.18372/0370-2197.3(112).21626

Issue

No. 3(112) (2026)

Section

Проблеми тертя та зношування

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