Properties of alumina-based coatings deposited by plasma spray and detonation gun spray processes

Alumina, Al₂O₃ + 3 to 40 wt% TiO₂, and Al₂O₃ + 40 wt% ZrO₂ coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) and detonation gun spraying (DGS). The coatings were evaluated by optical microscopy, microhardness measurements, and X- ray diffraction. Wear resistance of the coatings was evaluated by rubber wheel sand abrasion and particle erosion test methods. Detonation gun- sprayed coatings exhibited more homogeneous microstructures and somewhat higher microhardness than corresponding plasma- sprayed coatings. Small additions of TiO₂ (3 wt%) improved both the abrasion and erosion wear resistance, whereas 40 wt% TiO₂ significantly decreased the erosion wear resistance of both APS and DGS coatings. Alumina + 40% ZrO₂ coatings exhibited the best abrasion wear resistance of both APS and DGS coatings, but the erosion wear resistance of these coatings was lower than that of the Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ + 3 wt% TiO₂ coatings. The best abrasion wear resistance of the coatings studied was obtained with DGS Al₂O₃ + 40 wt% ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃ + 3 to 40 wt% TiCh coatings. These coatings exhibited lower wear rates than bulk Al₂O₃. The best erosion wear resistance was obtained with the DGS Al₂O₃ + 3 wt% TiO₂ coating; however, it exhibited a higher wear rate than bulk Al₂O₃. In general, detonation gun- sprayed coatings showed significantly enhanced abrasion and erosion wear resistance than the corresponding plasma- sprayed coatings.     

Effect of Submicron and Nano SiC Particles on Erosion Wear and Scratch Behavior of Plasma-Sprayed Al2O3/8YSZ Coatings

This paper reports studies into the effect of submicron and nano SiC particles on microstructure, phase composition, hardness, erosion wear, and scratch behavior of Al₂O₃-20wt.%8YSZ (ZrO₂ + 8 wt.% Y₂O₃) coatings fabricated by atmospheric plasma spraying. The failure mode of erosion wear and scratch for coatings was established and analyzed. The hardness, density, erosion wear, and anti-scratch resistance of coatings fabricated from plasma treating feedstocks were higher than that of coatings made from sintering feedstocks. The erosion wear rate of coatings with SiC was evidently decreased, and there was some small debris on worn surface with characteristic of translamellar fracture. The spallation, fracture, plough, and cracking were main failure mechanism for coatings. In the scratch process, the critical load of coating with SiC was increased. The crack growth resistance of coatings was analyzed from crack length at end of scratch test.     

Effect of Nano-Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> Additives and Plasma Treatment on the Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Plasma Sprayed Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-8YSZ Ceramic Coatings

In this paper, the effect of nano-Si₃N₄ additives and plasma treatment on the wear behavior of Al₂O₃-8YSZ ceramic coatings was studied. Nano-Al₂O₃, nano-8YSZ (8 wt.% Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂) and nano-Si₃N₄ powders were used as raw materials to fabricate four types of sprayable feedstocks. Plasma treatment was used to improve the properties of the feedstocks. The surface morphologies of the ceramic coatings were observed. The mechanical properties of the ceramic coatings were measured. The dry sliding wear behavior of the Al₂O₃-8YSZ coatings with and without Si₃N₄ additives was studied. Nano-Si₃N₄ additives and plasma treatment can improve the morphologies of the coatings by prohibiting the initiation of micro-cracks and reducing the unmelted particles. The hardness and bonding strength of AZSP (Al₂O₃-18 wt.% 8YSZ-10 wt.% Si₃N₄-plasma treatment) coating increased by 79.2 and 44% compared to those of AZ (Al₂O₃-20 wt.% 8YSZ) coating. The porosity of AZSP coating decreased by 85.4% compared to that of AZ coating. The wear test results showed that the addition of nano-Si₃N₄ and plasma treatment could improve the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-8YSZ coatings.     

Fabrication and Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Composite Coatings

Al₂O₃ /xZrO₂ (where x = 0, 3, 13, and 20 wt.%) composite coatings were deposited onto mild steel substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying of mixed α-Al₂O₃ and nano-sized monoclinic-ZrO₂ powders. Microstructural investigation showed that the coatings comprised well-separated Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ lamellae, pores, and partially molten particles. The coating comprised mainly of metastable γ-Al₂O₃ and tetragonal-ZrO₂ with trace of original α-Al₂O₃ and monoclinic-ZrO₂ phases. The effect of ZrO₂ addition on the properties of coatings were investigated in terms of microhardness, fracture toughness, and wear behavior. It was found that ZrO₂ improved the fracture toughness, reduced friction coefficient, and wear rate of the coatings.     

Effect of counterbody on the dry sliding wear performance of plasma sprayed calcia-stabilized zirconia coating

In this study, the effect of counterbody on the dry sliding wear behavior of plasma sprayed calcia-stabilized zirconia coating was investigated. The commercial ZrO₂-5CaO coating powder (Metco 201NS, −53 + 11 μm) was deposited onto the surface of AISI 316L substrate using Atmospheric Plasma Spray method. Dry sliding wear tests were performed with Al₂O₃ and WC-Co counterbody balls at different loads (5 N, 10 N and 15 N) and sliding speeds (10 mm/s, 20 mm/s and 30 mm/s) using a ball-on-disc device. From the test results, the COF values obtained from the Al₂O₃ ball were recorded to be lower than that of the WC-Co ball especially at 20 N and 30 N loads. The sliding speed did not cause a remarkable change in the COF values of the wear tests performed with both counterbody balls. However, in the case of WC-Co ball, COF values also increased especially with increasing the load from 5 N to 10 N at the 20 mm/s of sliding speed. In general, increasing load and sliding speed led to an increase in the wear volume loss values for all the tests. When using Al₂O₃ ball, under the 5 N load, lots of pitting and spalling zones were observed, whereas for 10 N and 15 N loads, plastically deformed worn areas which had lots of wear debris and deep cracks were determined. As for the WC-Co ball, the plastic deformation was observed as the predominant wear mechanism as well as the swelling-induced spallation and delamination. In addition, the wear mechanisms identified as a result of this study were explained by associating them with the Hertzian contact theory.     

Preparation,microstructure, and properties of tungsten alloys reinforced by ZrO2 particles

Tungsten alloys reinforced by in-situ tetragonal zirconia (W–ZrO₂) were developed via the azeotropic distillation method combined with the powder metallurgy method. The microstructure and abrasive wear properties were studied. The in-situ ZrO₂ particles in the tungsten matrix were obtained by the decomposition of zirconium nitrate after liquid–liquid incorporation of (NH₄)₆H₂W₁₂O₄₀ and Zr(NO₃)₄ aqueous solution. The ZrO₂ particles were distributed evenly in the tungsten matrix, which refined tungsten powders and the grains of tungsten alloys significantly. The density and Vickers hardness of the tungsten alloys decreased with increasing ZrO₂ mass fraction. However, the wear resistance increased firstly and then decreased with increasing ZrO₂ mass fraction. The optimal amount of ZrO₂ for improving wear property is 3%, with the wear resistance of W–3% ZrO₂ improving by approximately 20%–40% compared with that of pure tungsten. The proper amount of ZrO₂ particles can efficiently prevent microcutting to protect the tungsten matrix, thereby enhancing the wear resistance of tungsten alloys.     

Corrosion and wear behavior of thermally sprayed nano ceramic coatings on commercially pure Titanium and Ti–13Nb–13Zr substrates

Surface treatments and coatings are the practical approaches used to extend the lifetime of components and structures especially when the surface is the most solicited part of the considered engineering component. Hard thermally sprayed coating is one of the most wear resistance coating widely used in many practical mechanical applications. In the construction of articulating parts of medical devices, titanium and its alloys have to be surface coated to improve their tribocorrosion behavior. In this way, the use of porous thermal coatings is known to be a strategy for better binding bone or tissue on femoral stem for example. It is, thus, important to evaluate the corrosion and the wear behaviors of such materials for biosecurity considerations in the human body. In this study, we investigate the behavior of new nano ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃-13 wt.% TiO₂ thermal sprayed coatings on commercially pure (cp)-Ti (grade 4) and titanium alloy substrates. Friction and wear tests against Al₂O₃ balls showed that the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-13 wt.% TiO₂ is better than that ZrO₂ coating. Both plasma sprayings have similar abrasive wear behavior; however, the average friction coefficient is higher for alumina–titania coating. Electrochemical tests, open circuit potential monitoring and potentiodynamic polarization, were performed in simulated body conditions (Hank’s solution, 37 °C). Results showed that corrosion resistance was appreciably higher for alumina–titania coating.     

Influence of addition of Grp/Al2O3p with SiCp on wear properties of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 hybrid composites via friction stir processing

Aluminum alloy base surface hybrid composites were fabricated by incorporating with mixture of (SiC+Gr) and (SiC+Al₂O₃) particles of 20 μm in average size on an aluminum alloy 6061-T6 plate using friction stir processing (FSP). Microstructures of both the surface hybrid composites revealed that SiC, Gr and Al₂O₃are uniformly dispersed in the nugget zone (NZ). It was observed that the addition of Gr particles rather than Al₂O₃ particles with SiC particles, decreases the microhardness but immensely increases the dry sliding wear resistance of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 surface hybrid composite. The observed microhardness and wear properties are correlated with microstructures and worn micrographs.     

Mechanically Assisted Solid-State Mixing and Spark Plasma Sintering for Fabrication of Bulk Nanocomposite (WC/7(10Co/4Cr))-Based ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Systems

Mechanically induced solid-state mixing, using high-energy ball milling technique, was employed for preparing WC/7 wt.% (10Cr/4Cr) solid-solution powders. The solid-solution powders obtained after 50 h of milling were mechanically mixed for 50 h together with small weight fractions (0-7 wt.%) of (ZrO₂ + 1.5 wt.% Y₂O₃) powders. The powders were then consolidated in vacuum under a uniaxial pressure of 30 MPa at 1250 °C, using spark plasma sintering. The consolidated bulk samples were nearly full dense and maintained their nanocrystalline structure after this consolidation step. The results showed that the consolidated samples over the entire range of ZrO₂ concentrations (0–7 wt.%) had low values for Young’s modulus (297–318 GPa) due to their nanocrystalline structures. Moreover, the WC/7 wt.% (10Cr/4Cr)/7(ZrO₂-1.5 mol.% Y₂O₃) showed excellent wear resistance, indexed by its low-value friction coefficient (~0.29).     

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.     

Wear Behavior of Plasma-Sprayed Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Aluminum Oxide Coating in Marine and High-Temperature Environments

Wear behavior of plasma-sprayed carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) composite coatings are investigated at room temperature (298 K), elevated temperature (873 K), and in sea water. Lowest wear volume loss was observed in the sea water as compared to dry sliding at 298 and 873 K. Relative improvement in the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-8 wt.% CNT coating compared to Al₂O₃ was 72% at 298 K, 76% at 873 K, and 66% in sea water. The improvement in the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-CNT coatings is attributed to (i) larger area coverage by protective film on the wear surface at room temperature and in sea water, (ii) higher fracture toughness of Al₂O₃-CNT coatings due to CNT bridging between splats, and (iii) anti-friction effect of sea water. The average coefficient of friction (COF) was the lowest (0.55) in sea water and the highest (0.83) at 873 K for Al₂O₃-8 wt.% CNT coating.     

Reciprocating wear behavior of 7075Al/SiC in comparison with 6061Al/Al2O3 composites

In the present study, the reciprocating wear behavior of 7075Al/SiC composites and 6061Al/Al₂O₃ composites that are prepared through liquid metallurgy route is analyzed to find out the effects of weight percentage of reinforcement and load at the fixed number of strokes on a reciprocating wear testing machine. The Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) pins are prepared with different weight percentages (10, 15 and 20%) of SiC and Al₂O₃ particles with size of 36 μm. Hardness of these composites increases with increase in wt.% of reinforcement. However, the impact strength decreases with increase in reinforcement content. The experimental result shows that the volume loss of MMC specimens is less than that of the matrix alloy. However, the volume loss is greater in 6061Al/Al₂O₃ composites when compared to 7075Al/SiC composites. The temperature rise near the contact surface of the MMC specimens increases with increase in wt.% of reinforcement and applied load. The coefficient of friction decreases with increase in load in both cases.     

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.     

Structure and electric property comparison between Ge nanoclusters embedded in Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures containing Ge nanocrystals embedded in both Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ are fabricated by an ultra-high vacuum electron-beam evaporation method. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) results indicate that Ge embedded in Al₂O₃ diffuses towards the surface of the Al₂O₃ layer after annealing at 800°C in N₂ ambient for 30 min. Ge embedded in ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ is stable, thus inducing less leakage current. Capacitance voltage studies indicate that annealing can effectively passivate the negatively charged trapping centers. Memory effect of the Ge nanoclusters is verified by hysteresis in the C-V curves in the Al₂O₃/Ge+Al₂O₃/Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂/Ge+Al₂O₃/Al₂O₃ samples. This article is based on a presentation in “The 7th Korea-China Workshop On Advanced Materials” organized by the Korea-China Advanced Materials Cooperation Center and the China-Korea Advanced Materials Cooperation Center, held at Ramada Plaza Jeju Hotel, Jeju Island, Korea on August 24–27, 2003.     

Sliding Wear Performance of Plasma-Sprayed Al2O3-Cr2O3 Composite Coatings Against Graphite under Severe Conditions

Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, and Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ composite coatings were produced by plasma spraying. Their tribological properties were evaluated at high load conditions. The average friction coefficients, wear rates, and worn surface temperatures of the coating/graphite pairs were measured. Compared with the single coating/graphite pairs, the friction coefficients of composite coating/graphite pairs are more stable. The corresponding wear rates and worn surface temperatures are lower, which may be conducive to the formation of more effective and stable graphite transfer film on the surface of the coating subjected to abrasion. Especially, 10wt.%Al₂O₃-90wt.%Cr₂O₃ (AC₉₀) composite coating shows better anti-wear performance, which may be attributed to its higher thermal conduction.     

Toughening and strengthening mechanism of plasma sprayed nanostructured Al2O3–13 wt.%TiO2 coatings

The starting materials of Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZrO₂ and CeO₂ nanoparticles were agglomerated into sprayable feedstock powders and plasma sprayed to form nanostructured coatings. There were net structures and fused structures in plasma sprayed nanostructured Al₂O₃–13 wt.%TiO₂ coatings. The net structures were derived from partially melted feedstock powders and the fused structures were derived from fully melted feedstock powders. The nanostructured Al₂O₃–13 wt.%TiO₂ coatings possessed higher hardness, bonding strength and crack growth resistance than conventional Metco 130 coatings which were mainly composed of lamellar fused structures. The higher toughness and strength of nanostructured Al₂O₃–13 wt.%TiO₂ coatings were mainly related to the obtained net structures.     

The effect of the microstructure on mechanical properties of directionally solidified Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) eutectic

The eutectic architecture of a continuous reinforcing phase within a higher volume fraction phase or matrix, can be described as a naturally occurring in-situ composite. Here we report the results of experiments aimed at identifying the sources of high temperature creep resistance and high levels of strength in a two phase Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) system. The mechanical properties of two phase Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) eutectic are superior to that of either constituent alone due to strong constraining effects provided by the coherent interfaces and micrsostructure. The Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) eutectic maintains a low energy interface resulting from directional solidification and can produce strong and stable reinforcing phase/matrix bonding. The phases comprising a eutectic are thermodynamically compatible at higher homologous temperatures than man-made composites and as such offer the potential for superior high temperature properties.     

Preparation, microstructure and properties of molybdenum alloys reinforced by in-situ Al2O3 particles

The conventional molybdenum alloys, lacking of hard particles enhancing wear property, have relative poor wear resistance though they are widely used in wear parts. To resolve the above question, Mo alloys reinforced by in-situ Al₂O₃ particles are developed using powder metallurgy method. The in-situ α-Al₂O₃ particles in molybdenum matrix are obtained by the decomposition of aluminum nitrate after liquid-solid incorporation of MoO₂ and Al(NO₃)₃ aqueous solution. The α-Al₂O₃ particles well bonded with molybdenum distribute evenly in matrix of Mo alloys, which refine grains of alloys and increase hardness of alloys. The absolute density of alloy increases firstly and then decreases with the increase of Al₂O₃ content, while the relative density rises continuously. The friction coefficient of alloy, fluctuating around 0.5, is slightly influenced by Al₂O₃. However, the wear resistance of alloy obviously affected by the Al₂O₃ particles rises remarkably with the increasing of Al₂O₃ content. The Al₂O₃ particles can efficiently resist micro-cutting to protect molybdenum matrix, and therefore enhances the wear resistance of Mo alloy.     

Effects of the powder manufacturing method on microstructure and wear performance of plasma sprayed alumina-titania coatings

Three Al₂O₃-13wt.% TiO₂ powders, with the same chemical composition but different Al₂O₃-TiO₂ distribution patterns, are plasma sprayed and the resulting coatings are compared in terms of their phase composition, microstructure, hardness, crack growth resistance, and abrasive wear performance. It is demonstrated that the degree of mixing of the Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ ingredients in the feed powder has immense impact on the phase composition, microstructure, hardness, crack growth resistance, and abrasive wear performance of the coatings. A high degree of mixing of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ in the powder state results in more uniform microstructure, higher hardness, higher crack growth resistance, and consequently better abrasive wear resistance of the coating.     

MoS2 coated with Al2O3 for Ni-MoS2/Al2O3 composite coatings by pulse electrodeposition

The MoS₂ powders were coated with Al₂O₃ (5 wt.%) through controlling hydrolysis of Al (NO₃)₃·9H₂O. MoS₂ powder coated with Al₂O₃ was written as MoS₂/Al₂O₃ hereinafter. MoS₂/Al₂O₃ powders were put into Ni plating electrolyte bath. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) — the surfactant was also put into the bath. The experiment proves that MoS₂/Al₂O₃ particles were absorbed onto the Ni plate. The amount of MoS₂/Al₂O₃ deposited on Ni plate rises with the increasing concentration of MoS₂/Al₂O₃ in the bath. The microhardness, micro-surface, phase and the tribological property of the MoS₂/Al₂O₃ multi-plating coating were measured and analyzed. The performances of microhardness and wear resistance of the Ni-MoS₂/Al₂O₃ composite are better than those of Ni-MoS₂ composite.