Nanoindentation creep behavior of an Fe–Cr–Mo–B–C amorphous coating via atmospheric plasma spraying

Unlike crystalline alloys, disordered amorphous alloys lack long-range order. Even today, the creep mechanisms for amorphous alloys are far from being fully understood. In this work, an Fe–Cr–Mo–B–C (Cr: 25–27 wt%, Mo: 16–18 wt%, B: 2.0–2.2 wt%, and C: 2.0–2.5 wt%) amorphous coating was fabricated on the surface of a 304 stainless steel via atmospheric plasma spraying with a NiAl bonding layer. In this study, the effects of peak load and loading rate on the creep deformation behavior of the Fe-based amorphous coatings were investigated. The results demonstrated that a macroscopic viscous flow behavior was obtained at low peak loads, which led to a larger creep strain rate sensitivity m. At high loading rates, the accumulation of free volume led to an increase in the shear deformation zone and a more uniform plastic rheology. It indicated that at higher loading rates, the amorphous coating had higher m values under steady-state creep. •An Fe–Cr–Mo–B–C amorphous coating was successfully prepared via APS.•Lower peak loads result in larger creep strain rate sensitivity.•Higher loading rates result in larger creep strain rate sensitivity.•Free volume accumulation and STZ rearrangement affect plastic deformation.