Al2O3-ZrO2 mixed oxide composite incorporated aluminium rich zinc coatings for high wear resistance

Corrosion resistance and wear resistance are the two important parameters for high performance of zinc galvanic coating. In the present work, the improvement of these two characteristics was achieved by the incorporation of Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ mixed oxide composite in the coating. Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ mixed oxide composite was synthesized from ZrOCl₂·8H₂O. Aluminium rich zinc coatings with high sliding wear resistance was developed from a galvanic bath containing the mixed oxide. Based on the performance of the coating during physicochemical and electrochemical characterization, the concentration of mixed oxide composite in the bath was optimized as 0.50 wt% Al₂O₃-0.50 wt% ZrO₂. While rich in Al-metal content in the coating caused high corrosion resistance, the incorporation of the mixed oxide improved structural characteristics of the coating resulting in high wear resistance also. The coating was nonporous in nature and even the interior layers had high stability. The coatings have potential scope for high industrial utility.     

Effect of a magnetron sputtered (Al2O3-Y2O3)/(Pt-Au) laminated coating on hot corrosion resistance of 8Nb-TiAl alloy

Novel (Al₂O₃-Y₂O₃)/(Pt-Au) laminated coatings were prepared on 8Nb-TiAl alloy by magnetron sputtering methods. (Na₂SO₄-NaCl)-induced hot corrosion and cyclic oxidation tests were adopted to investigate the high-temperature corrosion behaviours and the mechanical properties of the as-prepared laminated coatings. The results revealed that the multi-sealed (Al₂O₃-Y₂O₃) and (Pt-Au) layers can effectively suppress the inward diffusion of oxygen and corrosive fused salt to an extremely low level at 1000 °C and 900 °C respectively. Consequently, the high-temperature corrosion resistance of the 8Nb-TiAl alloy can be significantly improved. In addition, cyclic tests revealed the (Al₂O₃-Y₂O₃)/(Pt-Au) laminated coating can exhibit enhanced spallation and fracture resistance, which are attributable to the brittle/ductile laminated composite structure by means of energy release mechanisms and the increased thermal expansion coefficient of the coating by the addition of Pt-Au alloy.     

Hot corrosion behaviour of plasma sprayed YSZ/Al2O3 dispersed NiCrAlY coatings on Inconel-718 superalloy

Oxide dispersed NiCrAlY bond coatings have been developed for enhancing thermal life cycles of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). However, the role of dispersed oxides on high temperature corrosion, in particular hot corrosion, has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the present study aims to improve the understanding of the effect of YSZ dispersion on the hot corrosion behaviour of NiCrAlY bond coat. For this, NiCrAlY, NiCrAlY + 25 wt.% YSZ, NiCrAlY + 50 wt.% YSZ and NiCrAlY + 75 wt.% YSZ were deposited onto Inconel-718 using the air plasma spraying (APS) process. Hot corrosion studies were conducted at 800 °C on these coatings after covering them with a 1:1 weight ratio of Na₂SO₄ and V₂O₅ salt film. Hot corrosion kinetics were determined by measuring the weight gain of the specimens at regular intervals for a duration of 51 h. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques were used to determine the nature of phases formed, examine the surface attack and to carry out microanalysis of the hot corroded coatings respectively. The results show that YSZ dispersion causes enhanced hot corrosion of the NiCrAlY coating. Leaching of yttria leads not only to the formation of the YVO₄ phase but also the destabilization of the YSZ by hot corrosion. For the sake of comparison, the hot corrosion behaviour of a NiCrAlY + 25 wt.% Al₂O₃ coating was also examined. The study shows that the alumina dispersed NiCrAlY bond coat offers better hot corrosion resistance than the YSZ dispersed NiCrAlY bond coat, although it is also inferior compared to the plain NiCrAlY bond coat.     

The corrosion behavior of plasma sprayed Fe2Al5 coating in molten Zn

Aluminum coating was plasma sprayed on Fe-0.14-0.22 wt.% C steel substrate, and heat diffusion treatment at 923 °C for 4 h was preformed to the aluminum coating to form Fe₂Al₅ inter-metallic compound coating. The corrosion mechanism of the Fe₂Al₅ coating in molten zinc was investigated. SEM and EDS analysis results show that the corrosion process of the Fe₂Al₅ layer in molten zinc is as follows: Fe₂Al₅ → Fe₂Al₅Zn_x (η) → η + L(liquid phase) → L + η + δ(FeZn₇) → L + δ → L. The η phase and the eutectic structure (η + δ) prevent the diffusion of zinc atoms efficiently. Therefore the Fe₂Al₅ coating delays the reaction between the substrate and molten zinc, promoting the corrosion resistance of the substrate.     

Microstructure, spallation and corrosion of plasma sprayed Al2O3–13%TiO2 coatings

The electrochemical corrosion behaviours of the steel substrates coated with three different plasma sprayed Al₂O₃–13%TiO₂ coatings were studied in this paper. The three kinds of Al₂O₃–13%TiO₂ coatings were conventional ME coating, nanostructured NP coating and NS coating. There were micro cracks, laminar splats and straight columnar grains in ME coating. For the two nanostructured coatings, the laminar microstructure and columnar grains were not obvious. The NP coating had the highest hardness and spallation resistance. Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of the three coatings was mainly investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in aqueous Na₂SO₄ solution.     

Effect of sintering temperature on corrosion properties of sol–gel based Al2O3 coatings on pre-treated AZ91D magnesium alloy

A novel anti-corrosion sol–gel based Al₂O₃ coating was developed on the AZ91D magnesium alloy. The morphology, microstructure and composition of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The corrosion resistance of the coatings in 3.5 NaCl wt.% solution was studied using electrochemical measurements. The results demonstrated that a homogeneous Al₂O₃ coating could be obtained and the sol–gel coated samples sintered at 380 °C had the best corrosion resistance properties as compared to the specimens sintered at 120 and 280 °C.     

The effect of plasma spray parameters on the cavitation erosion of Al2O3-TiO2 coatings

This paper reports a study of how the choice of plasma spray parameters, used during deposition of Al₂O₃-13%TiO₂ coatings on carbon steel, influences the cavitation erosion properties of such coatings. The parameters studied are the power feeding rate and hydrogen flow rate. The surface and cross section of coatings before and after cavitation were also observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phases present in the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). The microscopic observations were used to study the inter-lamellar connection, porosity, unmelted particles and so on inside the coating. We also measured the roughness, microhardness, adhesion strength and cavitation erosion of the coatings. The XRD results showed that the coating includes different allotropes of Al₂O₃ such as α and γ. The cavitation erosion studies of the coatings were conducted by ultrasonic cavitation testing on the basis of ASTM G32 standard. It was found that cavitation erosion is accelerated around the unmelted particles and porosities. The results reveal that the cavitation resistance of the coating is determined by its microstructure and that increasing discontinuities (inside the coating) reduce its cavitation resistance. We have found that the coating obtained at hydrogen gas flow rate of 16 L/min and powder feeding rate of 20 g/min has the best cavitation resistance.     

Ni-TiO2 nanocomposite coating with high resistance to corrosion and wear

Ni-TiO₂ nanocomposite coatings with various contents of TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by electrodeposition in a Ni plating bath containing TiO₂ nanoparticles to be codeposited. The influences of the TiO₂ nanoparticle concentration in the plating bath, the current density and the stirring rate on the composition of nanocomposite coatings were investigated. The composition of coatings was studied by using energy dispersive X-ray system (EDX). The wear behavior of the pure Ni and Ni-TiO₂ nanocomposite coatings were evaluated by a pin-on-disc tribometer. The corrosion performance of coatings in 0.5 M NaCl, 1 M NaOH and 1 M HNO₃ as corrosive solutions was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods (EIS). The microhardness and wear resistance of the nanocomposite coatings increase with increasing of TiO₂ nanoparticle content in the coating. With increasing of TiO₂ nanoparticle content in the coating, the polarization resistance increases, the corrosion current decreases and the corrosion potential shifts to more positive values.     

Hot corrosion of YSZ/Al2O3 dispersed NiCrAlY plasma-sprayed coatings in Na2SO4-10 wt.% NaCl melt

This study examines the effect of ytrria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) dispersion on hot corrosion behaviour of NiCrAlY bond coat. Hot corrosion studies were conducted on NiCrAlY and NiCrAlY containing 25, 50 and 75 wt.% YSZ coatings obtained through the air plasma spray technique, in Na₂SO₄ + 10 wt.% NaCl environment at 800 °C. The results show that YSZ dispersion lowers the overall hot corrosion tendency of the NiCrAlY, though it enhances the inherent hot corrosion tendency of its metallic constituent (NiCrAlY). Furthermore, there exists a threshold oxide level beyond which it adversely affects the hot corrosion of the coating.     

Mechanical and tribological performance of Al2O3-TiO2 coatings elaborated by flame and plasma spraying

Mechanical properties and wear rates of Al₂O₃-13 wt.% TiO₂ (AT-13) and Al₂O₃-43 wt.% TiO₂ (AT-43) coatings obtained by flame and atmospheric plasma spraying were studied. The feed stock was either ceramic cords or powders. Results show that the wear resistance of AT-13 coatings is higher than that of AT-43 and it seems that the effect of hardness on wear resistance is more important than that of toughness. Additionally, it was established that, according to conditions used to elaborate coatings and the sliding tribological test chosen, spray processes do not seem to have an important effect on the wear resistance of these coatings.     

铝基表面等离子喷涂Al2O3-TiO2-Ta涂层的制备及防腐性能

采用等离子喷涂技术在铝基表面构建Al₂O₃-TiO₂涂层和Al₂O₃-TiO₂-Ta涂层。由于钽元素的引入,Al₂O₃-TiO₂-Ta涂层表面形貌更均匀、致密。同时钽金属具有极强的耐酸碱特性,因此,Al₂O₃-TiO₂-Ta涂层相对于Al₂O₃-TiO₂涂层具有更强的耐腐蚀性。Tafel曲线结果显示,Al₂O₃-TiO₂涂层使得基体的腐蚀电位仅正移了99.6 mV,Al₂O₃-TiO₂-Ta涂层使得铝基体腐蚀电位正移了208.9 mV。因此,由于耐蚀性极强的Ta金属的掺入,Al₂O₃-TiO₂涂层的防腐性得到了极大的增强,Al₂O₃-TiO₂-Ta涂层有效地防止铝合金腐蚀。     

An evaluation of Al2O3-ZrO2 composites produced by coprecipitation method

The objective of this work is to produce Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ composite from nano-sized powders processed by coprecipitation method. Al₂O₃ and mixture of Al₂O₃ + 10 wt.% ZrO₂ precipitated successfully by chemical route from aluminum sulfate and zirconium sulfate were pressed under uniaxial compression of 170 MPa and sintered at 1600 °C for 1 h. SEM investigations revealed that, pure alumina sample has a microstructure with coarse grains which anisotropically grown up to 30-40 μm in size. In alumina-zirconia composite, the structure consists of very fine equiaxed grains of typically 2 μm in which zirconia precipitates were uniformly dispersed. By adding zirconia to alumina, hardness and indentation fracture toughness were increased from 11.6 GPa to 16.8 GPa and from 3.2 MPa m^1/2 to 4.9 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Improvement in fracture toughness was attributed to bridging effects of zirconia particles as well as transformation toughening.     

A novel technique for development of A356/Al2O3 surface nanocomposite by friction stir processing

A356/Al₂O₃ surface nanocomposite was produced by friction stir processing (FSP) method. X-ray diffractometery, optical and scanning electron microscopy, microhardness and nanoindentation tests were used to characterize the samples. The results indicated that the uniform distribution of Al₂O₃ particles in A356 matrix by FSP process can improve the mechanical properties of specimens. The hardness and elastic modulus of the as-received A356, the sample treated by the FSP without Al₂O₃ particles, surface micro- and nanocomposite specimens were about 75 Hv and 74 GPa, 69 Hv and 73 GPa, 90 Hv and 81 GPa, 110 Hv and 86 GPa, respectively.     

Electroless ternary Ni-W-P alloys containing micron size Al2O3 particles

In the present investigation electroless ternary NiWP-Al₂O₃ composite coatings were prepared using an electroless nickel bath. Second phase alumina particles (1 µm) were used to codeposit in the NiWP matrix. Nanocrystalline ternary NiWP alloys and composite coatings were obtained using an alkaline citrate based bath which was operated at pH 9 and temperature at 88 ± 2 °C. Mild steel was used as a substrate material and deposition was carried out for about 4 h to get a coating thickness of 25 ± 3 µm. Metallographic cross-sections were prepared to find out the coating thickness and also the uniform distribution of the aluminum oxide particles in NiWP matrix. Surface analysis carried out on both the coatings using scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that particle incorporation in ternary NiWP matrix has increased the nodularity of composite coatings compared to fine nodular NiWP deposits. Elemental analysis of energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) results showed that codeposited P and W elements in plain NiWP deposit were 13 and 1.2 wt.%, respectively. There was a decrease in P content from 13 to 10 wt.% with a marginal variation in the incorporated W (1.01 wt.%) due to the codeposition of aluminum oxide particles in NiWP matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies carried out on as-plated deposits showed that both the deposits are X-ray amorphous with a grain size of around 3 nm. Phase transformation studies carried out on both the coatings showed that composite coatings exhibited better thermal stability compared to plain NiWP deposits. From the XRD studies it was found that metastable phases such as NiP and Ni₅P₂ present in the composite coatings heat treated at major exothermic peak temperature. Annealed composite coatings at various temperatures revealed higher microhardness values compared to plain NiWP deposits.     

Cyclic oxidation behavior and thermal barrier effect of YSZ-(Al2O3/YAG) double-layer TBCs prepared by the composite sol-gel method

Novel YSZ (6 wt.% yttria partially stabilized zirconia)-(Al₂O₃/YAG) (alumina-yttrium aluminum garnet, Y₃Al₅O₁₂) double-layer ceramic coatings were fabricated using the composite sol-gel and pressure filtration microwave sintering (PFMS) technologies. The thin Al₂O₃/YAG layer had good adherence with substrate and thick YSZ top layer, which presented the structure of micro-sized YAG particles embedded in nano-sized α-Al₂O₃ film. Cyclic oxidation tests at 1000 °C indicated that they possessed superior properties to resist oxidation of alloy and improve the spallation resistance. The thermal insulation capability tests at 1000 °C and 1100 °C indicate that the 250 μm coating had better thermal barrier effect than that of the 150 μm coating at different cooling gas rates. These beneficial effects should be mainly attributed to that, the oxidation rate of thermal grown oxides (TGO) scale is decreased by the “sealing effect” of α-Al₂O₃, the “reactive element effect”, and the reduced thermal stresses by means of nano/micro composite structure. This double-layer coating can be considered as a promising TBC.     

Phase constituents and microstructure of laser cladding Al2O3/Ti3Al reinforced ceramic layer on titanium alloy

Laser cladding of the Fe₃Al + TiB₂/Al₂O₃ pre-placed alloy powder on Ti-6Al-4V alloy can form the Ti₃Al/Fe₃Al + TiB₂/Al₂O₃ ceramic layer, which can greatly increase wear resistance of titanium alloy. In this study, the Ti₃Al/Fe₃Al + TiB₂/Al₂O₃ ceramic layer has been researched by means of electron probe, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and micro-analyzer. In cladding process, Al₂O₃ can react with TiB₂ leading to formation of amount of Ti₃Al and B. This principle can be used to improve the Fe₃Al + TiB₂ laser cladded coating, it was found that with addition of Al₂O₃, the microstructure performance and micro-hardness of the coating was obviously improved due to the action of the Al-Ti-B system and hard phases.     

基于磁过滤技术的热障涂层表面Al2O3 覆盖层抗CMAS腐蚀性能

为了提高热障涂层（TBC）的抗沉积物（主要成分为CaO、MgO、Al₂O₃和SiO₂,简称CMAS）腐蚀性能,采用磁过滤阴极真空电弧（FCVA）技术在TBC表面上制备了致密的Al₂O₃覆盖层,比较和分析了Al₂O₃改性TBC和沉积态TBC的润湿行为和抗CMAS腐蚀性能。结果表明：使用FCVA技术制备Al₂O₃覆盖层的过程对7%（质量分数）氧化钇稳定的氧化锆（7YSZ）相的结构无明显影响,且经Al₂O₃改性的TBC综合性能均优于沉积态TBC。在1250 ℃、CMAS腐蚀条件下,Al₂O₃覆盖层有效地限制了熔融CMAS在TBC表面上的扩散行为。同时,Al₂O₃填充了7YSZ柱状晶之间的间隔并且阻碍了熔融CMAS的渗透,证明了FCVA可作为一种制备Al₂O₃涂层的新方法以提高TBC的抗CMAS腐蚀性能,且Al₂O₃涂层及其制备过程对TBC的热震性能均无消极影响。     

Preparation of nanostructured Ni/Al2O3 composite coatings in high magnetic field

Ni/Al₂O₃ composite coatings were prepared by a novel method from a modified Watt's type electrolyte containing nano-Al₂O₃ particles, where a high magnetic field was imposed in the direction parallel to an electrolytic current instead of mechanical agitation. Effects of magnetic field on the content of particles, surface morphology, microhardness and wear resistance of plating layer were investigated. It was found that the high magnetic field played an important role in the formation of composite coatings. The amounts of nano-Al₂O₃ particles in the composite coating increased with increasing of magnetic flux density and reached a maximum value at 8 T, then reduced slightly. The microhardness and wear resistance of the nanocomposite coatings also enhanced with increasing of magnetic flux density as compared to that of pure Ni coating fabricated in the absence of magnetic field. That was because the co-deposited nano-Al₂O₃ particles were uniformly distributed in the Ni matrix and contributed to greatly increase the microhardness and wear resistance of the composite coatings. Moreover, the mechanism of action of high magnetic field was discussed preliminarily.     

Thermal shock behavior of nanostructured and conventional Al2O3/13 wt%TiO2 coatings fabricated by plasma spraying

The thermal shock behavior of three kinds of Al₂O₃/13 wt%TiO₂ coatings fabricated by plasma spraying was studied in this paper. One kind of those coatings was derived from conventional fused and crushed feedstock powder available commercially; the other two kinds of coatings were derived from nanostructured agglomerated feedstock powders. These two nano coatings possess moderate pores and pre-existing microcracks, they were composed of fused structure and three-dimensional net or skeleton-like structure. For conventional coatings, the pores and pre-existing cracks were bigger, sharp-point and mostly distributed between splats. Thermal shock tests for the three coatings were performed by water quenching method. Testing result showed the two kinds of nano coatings had much higher thermal shock resistance than the conventional coatings. The improved thermal shock resistance for nano coatings could attribute to their improved microstructure and crack propagation mode. The damage evolution and failure mechanism of coatings was quite different at thermal shock temperature of 650 °C and 850 °C, which was explained by a simple model. Different crack propagating modes in nanostructured and conventional coatings during thermal shock tests were due to their different microstructures in these two kinds coatings. The stress state of coating surfaces during the thermal cycles was also discussed in this paper.     

Effect of applied current on the electrodeposited Ni-Al2O3 composite coatings

Nano-sized Al₂O₃ ceramic particles (50 nm) were co-deposited with nickel using electrodeposition technique to develop composite coatings. The coatings were produced in an aqueous nickel bath at different current densities and the research investigated the effect of applied current on microstructure and thickness of the coatings. The variation in some mechanical properties such as hardness, wear resistance, and the adhesive strength of the composite coatings is influenced by the applied current and this was also studied. The morphology of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The hardness, wear resistance, and bond strength of the coatings were evaluated by Vickers micro-hardness test, pin-on-disc test, and tensile test, respectively. Results showed that the Al₂O₃ particles were uniformly distributed in the coatings, and the coatings deposited at a current density of 0.01 A/cm² was most favorable in achieving a maximum current efficiency which causes the co-deposition of a maximum amount of Al₂O₃ particles (4.3 wt.%) in the coatings. The increase in Al₂O₃ particles in the coatings increased the mechanical properties of the Ni-Al₂O₃ composite coatings by grain refining and dispersion strengthening mechanisms.