Deposition and mechanical property evaluation of amorphous silicon-containing diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) coatings on steel

Amorphous silicon-containing diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) coatings were deposited by Ar⁺ ion beam-assisted physical vapor deposition of tetraphenyl-tetramethyl-trisiloxane (704 Dow Corning diffusion pump oil). The steel substrates studied included AISI 4130, 17-7 PH, 440-C, and 4340 (bare and nitride-precoated) specimens. DLC coating thicknesses ranged from 1.8 to 4.31 μm. Deposition rates increased with increasing beam current density and varied with the steel substrate composition. Nanoindentation measurements of the hardness and elastic modulus at two different depths yielded values of 9-10 GPa and 99-128 GPa, respectively. Film cohesion and adhesion failure loads increased with increasing underlying layer hardness, chromium content in the substrate, or the presence of a titanium nitride precoat. The friction coefficient of a diamond stylus against the coating surface decreased and wear resistance increased with nitride precoating.     

Stresses and adhesion of thin metallic coatings on oxide substrates

The growth of thin metallic coatings on oxide substrates prepared by vapour deposition of gold or copper on alumina or magnesia was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The stresses developed during the growth were followed by the bending method. The evolution of stresses is related to the growth mechanisms. The stresses are compressive for discontinuous deposits and change to tensile as the deposit becomes continuous. The compressive stresses are interpreted as due to the increase of the free energy of the metal–oxide system during the growth of metal particles. The tensile stresses result from the deposit lattice mismatch with the substrate. During the growth partial recrystallization and annealing of defects occur which modify the tensile behaviour of continuous coatings. The adhesion of deposits (Au and Cu) on oxide substrates (Al₂O₃ and MgO) was evaluated by the pull-off method as a function of deposition temperature. Au/Al₂O₃, Cu/Al₂O₃ and Au/MgO systems exhibit identical behaviour, while Cu/MgO shows a large dependence on deposition temperature compared to the others. This behaviour is interpreted as due to the formation of chemical bonds between the metal (Cu) and the oxide (MgO), leading to an interfacial oxide.     

Effect of the chemical modification of the precursor of ZrO2 films on the adhesion of organic coatings

ZrO₂ films were deposited on low carbon steel by a sol-gel process as a chemical pretreatment before the application of a polyester paint. The films were obtained by a dip-coating technique using solutions of Zr(OBuⁿ)4 containing complexing agents (acetylacetone or acetic acid). These additives modified the alkoxide at the molecular level, so a new precursor was formed in solution. This new compound shows slower rates of hydrolysis and condensation than Zr(OBuⁿ)4, which allows the stability of solutions and the morphology of the gel to be controlled. Moreover, the length and the temperature of the thermal treatment influence the structure of the gel by reducing the amount of organic residues. The behavior of the films in promoting the adhesion of organic coatings was evaluated by measuring the detachment of the paint from a cross-scratch of samples which had been exposed for different times in a salt fog chamber. Tests using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were also carried out. According to the results, most of the samples pretreated with zirconia layers showed a good performance, even better than commercial chemical treatments, when acetic acid was used as a modifier of the alkoxide precursors.     

Enhanced interfacial adhesion of carbon fibers to vinyl ester resin using poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) coatings as adhesion promoters

Poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s (PEPO) were prepared and utilized to coat carbon fibers to enhance the interfacial adhesion with vinyl ester resins. For comparison, poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PES), Udel^® P-1700, and Ultem^® 1000 were also used. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of thermoplastic polymer-coated fibers was measured via microbond pull-out tests. The interfacial adhesion between thermoplastics and as-received carbon fibers was also measured in order to investigate the adhesion mechanism. Thermoplastic polymer-coated fibers exhibited a higher IFSS than the as-received fibers with vinyl ester resin, and with thermoplastic polymers. PEPO-coated fibers showed the highest IFSS, followed by Udel^®, PES, and Ultem^®-coated fibers. The high IFSS obtained with PEPO coating could be attributed to the phosphine oxide moiety, which provided a strong interaction with functional groups in the vinyl ester resin and also on carbon fibers. A diffusion study revealed the formation of a clear interphase not only between PEPO and the vinyl ester resin, but also between Udel^® (PES or Ultem^®) and the vinyl ester resin, although the morphology of the two interphases differed greatly.     

Internal stresses and adhesion of thin silicon oxide coatings on poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effect of internal stresses on the cohesion and adhesion of a thin silicon oxide (SiO_x) oxygen-barrier coating, evaporated on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film substrate was studied. Internal stresses were generated during annealing in the temperature range for recrystallization of the PET,during calendering in a multilayer structure where two SiO_x /PET films were laminated together with a polypropylene film, and during long-term thermal aging below the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The cohesion of the coating and its adhesion to the polymer substrate were derived from fragmentation tests, in which the failure of the oxide coating was analyzed as a function of the applied stress during uniaxial tensile loading of the substrate. The intrinsic coating strength at critical length and the interfacial shear strength were found to be equal to 1350 MPa and 73 MPa, respectively. It was found that none of the thermal treatments investigated altered the interfacial interactions. Rather, these treatments induced shrinkage of the PET substrate, which increased the coating internal compressive stress and the SiO_x /PET interfacial shear strength. A linear relationship between the SiO_x /PET interfacial shear strength and the coating internal stress was determined from a stress transfer analysis. The coefficient of this linear relationship, equal to-1.34 · h _c/l _c, where h _c is coating thickness and l _c is the critical stress transfer length, reproduces the experimental data with good accuracy.     

Effect of nitric acid surface treatment on tensile and tribological properties of thermoplastic polyimide composite filled with carbon fibre

Abstract

Polyacrylonitrile based carbon fibres were submitted to nitric acid oxidation treatments to improve the interfacial adhesion of the carbon fibre reinforced polyimide (CF/PI) composite. The carbon fibre surfaces were characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Nitric acid oxidation not only affects the oxygen concentration, but also produces an appreciable change in the nature of the chemical functions, namely the conversion of hydroxy type oxygen into carboxyl functions. Nitrogen concentration of nitric acid oxidation treated carbon fibre is ～1·2 times higher compared with untreated one. The mechanical and tribological properties of the CF/PI composites treated with nitric acid oxidation were investigated. Results showed that the tensile strength of the CF/PI composites improved remarkably due to nitric acid treatment along with enhancement in friction and wear performance.     

Microstructure,adhesion, and tribological properties of conventional plasma-sprayed coatings on steel substrate

A variety of metallic and oxide coatings were deposited under various conditions on 1020 mild steel substrate by conventional plasma spraying. The coating thickness, microhardness, cohesion and adhesion failure loads, friction coefficient, and abrasive wear resistance were evaluated. The coatings were classified as follows, in order of decreasing microhardness and wear resistance: alumina, chromia, 316 stainless steel, Ni-5% Al, elemental aluminum and aluminum-polyester. Wear resistance increased with increasing microhardness and decreasing friction coefficient. The microhardness and wear resistance of high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) diamond jet (DJ)-sprayed aluminum were found to be superior to those of plasma-sprayed aluminum. Plasma or flame-sprayed metallic coatings adhered well to the substrate. The cohesion, adhesion, microhardness, and wear resistance of alumina coatings exceeded those of equally thick chromia coatings.     

Effect of skin pass rolling on the primer adhesion and corrosion resistance of hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel

By using three different skin pass reductions, 0%, 0.75%, and 1.5%, the influence of skin pass rolling on the primer adhesion and corrosion resistance of primed hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel has been studied. The corrosion resistance of primed panels was determined by a cyclic prohesion test, and the primer adhesion was examined with a combined cross-cut and impact test. Surface roughness was determined for untreated and pretreated skin passed panels and the samples were also studied using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) were used to characterize the chemical surface composition of the panels. According to the prohesion test results, the roughest samples showed the best corrosion resistance and also slightly improved adhesion test results. The ESCA and GD-OES results showed that the outermost surface was enriched by aluminium in the zinc coating. During skin pass rolling, the aluminium oxide-rich surface is broken and zinc is revealed to the surface. An increase in the skin pass reduction resulted in an almost linear increase in the surface roughness. Mechanical removal of the surface aluminium also affected the amount of aluminium dissolved during the chemical pretreatment. The best results obtained for the roughest samples are mainly due to the most homogeneous skin pass pattern obtained with the highest skin pass reduction.     

A comparative study of three adhesion tests (EN 582, similar to ASTM C633, LASAT (LASer Adhesion Test), and bulge and blister test) performed on plasma sprayed copper deposited on aluminium 2017 substrates

The aim of this study was to compare three adhesion tests carried out on plasma-sprayed copper coatings on aluminium substrates. The first test, the bond pull test, designated EN 582 or ASTM C633, involves a uniaxial static stress and is commonly used in the coating industry. The second test, the LASAT (LASer Adhesion Test), is a recently developed technique based on spallation phenomenon due to laser induced shock waves. In this test, the coating delamination results from spallation at the coating/substrate interface due to uniaxial tensile stress. The last test, the bulge and blister test, involves a quasi-static measurement of the crack propagation energy at the coating/substrate interface. These three techniques have been used to evaluate the influences of different process parameters involved in the coating adhesion such as aluminium surface roughness, substrate pre-heating and plasma spray conditions.     

The role of the polymer/metal interphase and its residual stresses in the critical strain energy release rate (Gc) determined using a three-point flexure test

The critical strain energy release rate (G _c), the residual stresses (σ), Young's modulus (E), and the practical adhesion, characterized by ultimate parameters (F_max or d_max), of organic layers made of DGEBA epoxy monomer and IPDA diamine hardener were determined. The prepolymer (DGEBA-IPDA) was deposited both as thick coatings and as a mechanical stiffener onto degreased aluminum alloy (5754) or chemically etched titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). During the three-point flexure test used as a practical adhesion test [this test is also called the double cantilever adhesion test (DCAT)], the failure may be regarded as a special case of crack growth. To understand the real gradient properties of the interphase, substrate, and bulk polymer properties, a three-layer model was developed for quantitative determination of the critical strain energy release rate (G_c). The particular characteristic of this model was to consider the residual stresses developed within the entire three-layered system, leading to an intrinsic parameter representing the practical adhesion between a polymer and a metallic substrate. Moreover, to determine the residual stresses generated in such three-layer systems, the gradient of interphase mechanical properties was considered. The maxima of residual stress intensities are found at the interphase/substrate interface, leading to an adhesional (interfacial) failure that is experimentally observed. The determination of the critical strain energy release rate by the three-point flexure test (DCAT) shows that residual stresses cannot be neglected. A comparison between the results obtained from the three-point flexure test (DCAT) and those obtained by the tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) test is presented.     

Effect of the physical and mechanical properties of epoxy resins on the adhesion behavior of epoxy/copper leadframe joints

In this study, the adhesion strength of three epoxy resins, which are used as basic materials for epoxy molding compound (EMC) in microelectronics, to copper leadframe was determined using the peel test. The epoxy resins used were O-cresol Novolac (OCN), dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), and biphenyl sulfide (BIPHS) epoxy resins. It was found that DCPD showed the highest peel strength and OCN had the lowest value. The difference in the peel strength was explained by investigating the physical and mechanical properties, as well as the surface properties of the epoxy resins. These properties included the surface energy, viscosity and gelation time, fracture toughness, and the coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result of the lower viscosity of BIPHS and DCPD than OCN epoxy resin, BIPHS and DCPD have a better peel strength than OCN. The DCPD resin has a better peel strength than BIPHS because of its higher fracture toughness.     

炭黑硬度对胶料与钢丝帘线粘合力的影响

研究炭黑N326粒子硬度对轮胎带束层胶料物理性能以及胶料与钢丝帘线粘合力的影响.结果表明,随着炭黑N326粒子硬度的增大,带束层胶料门尼粘度、MH、ML、邵尔A型硬度、定伸应力和拉伸强度增大,拉断伸长率减小,焦烧时间和正硫化时间缩短;炭黑N326粒子硬度对硫化胶与钢丝帘线粘合力影响较大,两者呈正比关系.     

A comparative study of duty cycle and argon / methane flow ratio effect on the tribological behavior of DLC coatings over nitrided Astaloy Mo-based steel

Surface properties of Astaloy Mo-based steel were enhanced by using DLC deposition. The specimens were formed by double-sided compaction and heated for 30 min at 1393 K, in the NH₃ atmosphere. Following this, the plasma nitriding process was applied to improve the adhesion of the DLC coating. Afterward, the DLC coating was performed by Pulsed DC PACVD. Surface characteristics were studied by changing the duty cycle and the Argon/Methane flow ratio. The reciprocating method was carried out to evaluate wear behavior. Field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with EDS and Raman spectroscopy, hardness tester, nanoindentation test and surface roughness tester were used to evaluate the chemical structure, wear mechanisms of DLC coatings. This study proved that hardness reached up to 12.2 ± 1.11 GPa and the wear behavior was enhanced significantly by the DLC coating deposition. The mass loss increased with a rise in the duty cycle. Increasing the Argon/Methane ratio from 4:1 to 6:1 caused a decrease in the mass loss of DLC coatings. Burnishing, pulling out and adhesive wear were the dominant mechanisms.     

Effect of conducting composite carbon nanotube‐poly(o‐toluidine) coatings on the corrosion resistance of stainless steel material

This study examines the use of poly(o‐toluidine) (POT) coatings and poly(o‐toluidine)/oxidized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (POT‐MWCNT) composite on 304 stainless steel for corrosion protection. The POT coatings and its composite were synthesized on steel substrates under cyclic voltammetric conditions. These coatings were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ability of POT and its composite to serve as a corrosion protective coating was examined by potentiodynamic polarization, CV, and potential‐time measurements. The nanocomposite layers as well as the pure POT layer keeps the stainless steel in a passive state. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1180–1185, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Electrochemical synthesis and corrosion protection properties of poly(o‐toluidine) coatings on low carbon steel

Uniform and strongly adherent poly(o‐toluidine) (POT) coatings have been synthesized on low carbon steel (LCS) substrates by electrochemical polymerization (ECP) of o‐toluidine under cyclic voltammetric conditions from an aqueous sodium tartrate solution. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize these coatings, which indicates that the sodium tartrate is a suitable medium for the ECP of o‐toluidine and it occurs without noticeable dissolution of LCS. Corrosion protection properties of the POT coatings were evaluated in aqueous 3% NaCl by the potentiodynamic polarization measurements and CV. The result of the potentiodynamic polarization demonstrates that the POT coating has ability to protect the LCS against corrosion. The corrosion potential was about 334 mV more positive in aqueous 3% NaCl for the POT‐coated LCS than that of bare LCS and reduces the corrosion rate of LCS almost by a factor of 50. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 685–695, 2005     

Effect of substrate rotational speed during deposition on the microstructure,mechanical and tribological properties of a-C:Ta coatings

Rotational speed has an important influence on the performance of coating materials. The a-C:Ta composite coatings were prepared by controlling the substrate rotational speed during deposition process using PVD technique. The results showed that the coating transformed from dense structure to columnar structure. Due to the changes of deposition time and the vapor incident angle of the sputtering ions, the sp² hybrid structure increased and the C–Ta bonds contents decreased as a function of the rotational speed, which led to the improvement of adhesion force. The average friction coefficient of the composite coatings did not fluctuate significantly for the amorphous carbon matrix and the transfer films formed during friction, while the wear rates were gradually increased. The sample at 0.5 rpm possessed the lowest wear rate, which was mainly associated with the cooperative behavior of the dense structure and the formation of TaC nanoclusters in the composite coating.     

Dependence of mechanical and tribological performance on the microstructure of (CrAlTiNbV)Nx high-entropy nitride coatings in aviation lubricant

The (CrAlTiNbV)N_x coatings are fabricated by controlling the substrate bias via magnetron sputtering method. Under low substrate bias, the coating tends to form a loose columnar crystal structure with (200) preferred orientation. However, when the substrate bias increases, the coating transforms into a dense nanocrystalline structure, and the (111) orientation is enhanced. As the substrate bias increases, the residual stress and hardness of the coating gradually increase, while the adhesion strength decreases slightly. Friction tests show that the coating possesses the lowest average friction coefficient (about 0.06) and wear rate (8.7 × 10^-9 mm³/N·m) in 4050# aviation lubricant, which is achieved under the substrate bias of -96 V and -126 V, respectively.     

Investigation on the anticorrosion,adhesion and mechanical performance of epoxy nanocomposite coatings containing epoxy-silane treated nano-MoO3 on mild steel

Abstract

The effect of introducing MoO₃ (Molybdenum oxide) nanoparticle in the epoxy coating was analyzed by EIS and SECM methods in natural seawater. The aminopropyl triethoxy silane (APTES) was treated with the nanoparticle for the proper dispersion and chemical interaction of nanoparticle with the epoxy resin. The introduction of MoO₃ nanoparticle in the epoxy coating enhances the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) as well as the film resistance (R_f). The observation of iron dissolution and oxygen consumption was carried out by applying the appropriate SECM tip potential in the MoO₃ modified nanocomposite coated steel. The epoxy and epoxy-MoO₃ nanocomposite-coated samples were used to study the mechanical, adhesion and anticorrosion properties. The analysis using SEM/EDX displayed that the enriched Mo was detected in the nanocomposite coated steel. The presence of the nano level corrosion product containing Mo was confirmed by FIB-TEM analysis. The high corrosion protection properties of the epoxy based nanocomposite coating was due to the complex nanoscale layer formed and chemical interactions of epoxy resin with surface-modified nanoparticle in nanocomposites.     

Effect of solubility and miscibility on the adhesion behavior of polymer‐coated carbon fibers with vinyl ester resins

Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon fibers with vinyl ester resin was investigated as a function of the structure of the polymer coating on carbon fibers via microdroplet tests. For coating carbon fibers, high‐performance polymers such as poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) (PEPO), Udel® P‐1700, and Ultem® 1000, water‐soluble poly(hydroxy ether ethanol amine) (PHEA), water‐dispersed carboxy‐modified poly(hydroxy ether) (C‐PHE), and water‐insoluble poly(hydroxy ether) (PHE) were utilized. Adhesion of polymers to carbon fibers was also evaluated and the failure surface of the fibers was analyzed by SEM to understand the adhesion mechanism. Diffusion between polymers and vinyl ester resins was investigated and the solubility parameters of the polymers were calculated, with the results being correlated to the IFSS. A highly enhanced IFSS was obtained with PEPO coating, while marginally improved IFSS resulted from PHE, Udel®, and C‐PHE coatings. However, PHEA and Ultem® coatings showed no improvement. Such results were attributed to the extent of solubility and/or miscibility of polymer coatings in vinyl ester resin, with better solubility and miscibility leading to a higher IFSS. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1042–1053, 2001     

Tribological and mechanical properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline PEEK/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings deposited on the plain carbon steel by electrostatic powder spray technique

One of the main practical limitations of polymer coatings is dependency of their mechanical and physical properties on the crystallinity of polymer matrix. In this research, the effect of the presence of silica nanoparticles on microhardness, interfacial adhesion strength and tribological behavior of amorphous and semi-crystalline polyether–ether–ketone (PEEK) coatings were examined. The coatings were prepared by a combination of ball milling and electrostatic powder spraying methods. The results showed that the semi-crystalline pure PEEK coating had higher hardness, lower adhesion strength, coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate than the amorphous one. However, the incorporating of PEEK with surface modified silica nanoparticles led to an increase in the coatings microhardness and interfacial adherence. The wear rates of both the semi-crystalline and amorphous nanocomposite coatings were lower than the pure ones but their COF were slightly higher. It was also found that, compared with the pure coatings, the sensitivity of the mechanical and tribological properties of the nanocomposite coatings to the crystalline structure of the PEEK matrix are less pronounced.