In order to improve the abrasion resistance of thermal sprayed Ni-base self-fluxing alloy coatings, plasma-carburizing was carried out in the temperature range of the fusing treatment. The following results were obtained.
1) As a result of the fusing treatment, the pores observed in the as-sprayed coatings almost entirely disappeared and fine, uniform coatings were obtained.
2) The results of X-ray diffraction and EPMA analysis indicated that the carbide produced near the surface of the coatings by plasma-carburizing was Cr3C2 containing small amounts of Mo and Fe.
3) In abrasion wheel wear tests, the plasma-carburized coatings showed excellent abrasion resistance, almost equal to that of Cr3C2 coatings formed by high velocity flame spraying.