Mechanical and tribological properties of sputtered Mo–Se–C coatings

Transition metal dichalcogenides belong to the more developed class of materials for solid lubrication. However, the main limitation of these materials is the detrimental effect of air humidity causing an increase in the friction. In previous works, molybdenum diselenide has been shown to be a promising coating retaining low friction even in very humid environment. In this study, Mo–Se–C films were deposited by sputtering from a C target with pellets of MoSe₂. Besides the evaluation of the chemical composition, the structure, the morphology, the hardness and the cohesion/adhesion, special attention was paid to the tribological characterization.The C content varied from 29 to 68 at.% which led to a progressive increase of the Se/Mo ratio. As a typical trend, the hardness increases with increasing C content. The coatings were tested at room temperature with different air humidity levels and at temperatures up to 500 °C on a pin-on-disc tribometer. The friction coefficient of Mo–Se–C coatings increased with air humidity from ～0.04 to ～0.12, while it was as low as 0.02 at temperature range 100–250 °C. The coatings were very sensitive to the elevated temperature being worn out at 300 °C due to adhesion problems at coating–titanium interface.     

Mechanical and tribological properties of NiCr–Al2O3 composites at elevated temperatures

The effect of Al₂O₃ content on the mechanical and tribological properties of Ni–Cr alloy was investigated from room temperature to 1000 °C. The results indicated that NiCr–40 wt% Al₂O₃ composite exhibited good wear resistance and its compressive strength remained 540 MPa even at 1000 °C. The values obtained for flexural strength and fracture toughness at room temperature were 771 MPa, 15.2 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Between 800 °C and 1000 °C, the adhesive and plastic oxide layer on the worn surface of the composite was claimed to be responsible for low friction coefficient and wear rate.     

Tribological behavior of plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings on the surface of Mg–8Li–1Al alloy

Plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings were fabricated on the surface of Mg–8Li–1Al. The tribological behavior of the coated and uncoated Mg–Li alloy was investigated under dry friction conditions against a Si₃N₄ ball as counter-face material. The results indicated that the tribological behavior is greatly affected by the microstructure and phase compositions of the coatings. The PEO coatings significantly improved the properties of friction and wear of Mg–Li alloy.     

Correlation Between Mechanical Properties and Nanofriction of [Ti–Cr/Ti–Cr–N] n and [Ti–Al/Ti–Al–N] n Multilayers

In this work, thin films deposited by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering of [Ti–Al/Ti–Al–N] _n and [Ti–Cr/Ti–Cr–N] _n multilayers of nanometric periods were analyzed by AFM in contact mode to measure values of lateral and normal forces. From these measurements, the coefficient of friction (COF) of these materials in contact with the AFM tip was calculated. Measurements were made with three types of silicon tips, diamond-coated, Pt–Cr-coated, and bare silicon. Significant differences between the tip materials in contact with the samples, which affected the COF, were observed. The effect of the environmental layer of water covering the surface sample and the tip appears as the most important factor affecting the tribology behavior of the tip-sample contact. For diamond-coated and bare silicon tips there is an additional adherence force increasing the normal load. But for tips platinum–chromium-coated there is a repulsive force due to this water layer, which behaves as a lubricant layer before a threshold load.     

Micro-abrasion wear testing of triode plasma diffusion and duplex treated Ti–6Al–4V alloy

In this paper micro-abrasion wear testing is used to evaluate the wear resistance of triode plasma diffusion-treated, single-layered TiN-, CrAlN-, and WC/C-coated and duplex-diffusion and coated Ti–6Al–4V under uniform three-body rolling abrasion. Nanoindentation, Knoop microhardness, mechanical surface profilometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, were used to characterise the surfaces under investigation. Optimum testing conditions for rolling abrasion were established by varying the test parameters and resultant severity of contact. Very low normal loads and high volume fractions of particles in the abrasive slurry are necessary to obtain predictable and reproducible results. Relatively coarse SiC abrasive particles, having a mean diameter of around 3 μm, appear more suitable for micro-abrasion testing of the samples investigated, compared to finer Al₂O₃ particles. Problems associated with the measurement of the scar volume and subsequent calculation of the wear rate for hard coatings deposited on relatively soft metals like titanium are identified, and suitable testing and measurement techniques are suggested. Three-dimensional wear scar maps generated by mechanical stylus profilometry were used to measure the wear volumes. Under the test conditions used, wear coefficients can be determined from perforating and non-perforating tests, although perforating tests provide more consistent results. Triode plasma diffusion treatments, plasma-assisted (PA) PVD TiN and PAPVD CrAlN can reduce the specific wear rate of Ti–6Al–4V, while PACVD-based WC/C coatings do not provide suitable protection against abrasive wear. The combination of triode plasma oxynitriding diffusion treatments and PVD coatings to create duplex treatments can also lead to further reductions in the coating wear coefficient when compared to non-duplex coatings deposited on non-pretreated substrates.     

Cavitation resistance of Cr–N coatings deposited on austenitic stainless steel at various temperatures

Cr–N coatings were deposited on austenitic stainless steel, X6CrNiTi18-10, by means of the cathodic arc evaporation method at three substrate temperatures: 200 °C, 350 °C and 500 °C. All coatings were found to have a composition of Cr(N), CrN and Cr₂N. The substrate temperature was found to have an influence on the hardness and Young's modulus of the Cr–N coatings. The investigation of nanocrystalline Cr–N coatings resistance to cavitation was performed in a cavitation tunnel with a slot cavitator and tap water as the medium. The estimated cavitation resistance parameters of the coatings were the incubation period of damage and total mass loss. It was found that the optimal coating cavitation resistance was deposited at 500 °C. The incubation period for the 500 °C deposition coating was the same as that of the uncoated X6CrNiTi18-10 steel, but the total mass loss was significantly lower than on the uncoated specimen. The scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the damage process of the Cr–N coating mainly originates from the plastic deformation of the steel substrate–hard coating system, which appears by “micro-folding” of the surface. An increase of tensile stresses at the top of micro-folds initiates micro-cracks and delamination of Cr–N coating. The results of the investigation and the analysis indicate that the factors mainly responsible for cavitation resistance of the steel substrate/hard coating system are resistant to plastic deformation of the total system and coating adhesion.     

Effects of sliding velocity on tribo-oxides and wear behavior of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Dry sliding wear tests were performed for Ti–6Al–4V alloy on a pin-on-disc wear tester. The wear behavior of Ti–6Al–4V alloy at sliding velocities of 0.5–4 m/s was studied and the tribo-oxides and their function were explored. Ti–6Al–4V alloy presented a marked variation of wear rate as a function of velocity. With the rise and fall of wear rate, Ti–6Al–4V alloy underwent the transitions of wear mechanisms from the combination of delamination wear and oxidative wear at lower speeds to delamination wear at 2.68 m/s, and then to oxidative wear at 4 m/s. These phenomena were attributed to the appearance and disappearance of tribo-oxides. In spite of trace or a small amount, tribo-oxides would change the wear behavior, and even wear mechanism.     

Surface quality improvement of EDMed Ti–6Al–4V alloy using plasma etching and TiN coating

This paper seeks to improve the surface quality of electrical discharge machining (EDM) Ti–6Al–4V using plasma etching treatment and TiN coating. The EDM parameter setting is optimized firstly based on grey-Taguchi method. Four EDM parameters, including current (A), voltage (V), pulse duration (μs), and duty factor (%), are selected for multiple performance of lower electrode wear rate (EWR), higher material removal rate (MRR), and better surface roughness (SR). An orthogonal array, signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are used to analyze the effects of these EDM parameters. Normality tests show that all the distributions fit normality assumption with p?=?0.276, 0.688, and 0.663, respectively. The EDM process is stable over time monitored by Shewhart control charts. It is observed that there is an EDM damaged layer on the surface consisting of debris, microcracks, molten drops, and solidified metals by scanning electron microscopy. The plasma etching and TiN coating are employed to improve surface quality of the EDMed Ti–6Al–4V alloys. The results demonstrate that using the oxygen plasma etching treatment, the damaged phenomena are decreased, and the mean SR value is reduced from Ra?=?2.91 to Ra?=?2.50 μm. In addition, when the plasma-treated alloy is coated with Ti buffer/TiN coating by physical vapor deposition, the surface morphology exhibits less defects and a better surface finish. The mean SR values are further reduced from Ra?=?2.50 μm to Ra?=?1.48 μm (for 740 nm TiN film) and Ra?=?0.61 μm (for 1450 nm TiN film), respectively.     

Wear and corrosion behavior of electrodeposited nickel–carbon nanotube composite coatings on Ti–6Al–4V alloy in Hanks′ solution

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have received considerable interest in many industries, but composite coatings of CNTs have not yet been sufficiently developed for use in biomedical implants. This investigation elucidates the wear and corrosion behavior of electroplated Ni/CNT composite coatings on Ti–6Al–4V alloy in Hanks’ solution. Experimental results indicate that the CNTs in an electroplated Ni/CNT composite coating increase its hardness to 98.5% higher than that of a pure Ni coating. Additionally, an Ni/CNT composite coating can form stable and dense passive film, which significantly improves wear and corrosion in Hanks′ solution.     

Effect of electrical current on tribological behavior of copper-impregnated metallized carbon against a Cu–Cr–Zr alloy

A block-on-slip ring-type wear tester was used to investigate the tribological behavior of copper-impregnated metallized carbon against a Cu–Cr–Zr alloy under 2 to 6 N applied load and 0 to 20 A electrical current. The sliding speed was maintained at 25 km/h. The wear loss of copper-impregnated metallized carbon increased with greater electrical current. Under a certain applied load, the wear loss with electrical current was minimized. The tribo-layer had an apparent effect on the friction coefficient. The wear mechanisms were complex, consisting of adhesive wear, abrasive wear and arc erosion.     

Tribotechnical properties of sintered bronze strengthened by aluminide of Ti–46Al–8Cr

The influence of ultrafine powder Ti–46Al–8Cr intermetellic addition obtained by MASHS on tribotechnical properties of Bro10 sintered bronze has been investigated. The addition of aluminide makes it possible to decrease the instantaneous friction coefficient of sintered bronze under concentrated loading upon friction with 40X hardened steel by 1.2–1.3 times upon continuously increasing loads by two times and to reduce temperature in the friction area by 1.15–1.6 times while increasing the wear resistance by 20 times upon permanent loadings and by 35–40 times upon continuously increasing loading.     

Influence of plasma nitriding on fretting wear behaviour of Ti–6Al–4V

Plasma nitriding was performed on Ti–6Al–4V samples at 520 °C in two environments (pure nitrogen and a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen in the ratio of 3:1) for two different time periods (4 and 18 h). Fretting wear tests were conducted on unnitrided and nitrided samples for 50,000 cycles using alumina ball counterbody. Plasma nitriding reduced the tangential force coefficient of Ti–6Al–4V. The samples nitrided for 4 h exhibited higher hardness and lower tangential force coefficient compared to the specimens nitrided for 18 h. The samples nitrided in nitrogen–hydrogen mixture environment exhibited higher hardness and lower tangential force coefficient compared to the specimens nitrided in pure nitrogen. The samples plasma nitrided in nitrogen–hydrogen mixture for 4 h exhibited the highest hardness and the lowest tangential force coefficient. The wear volume and specific wear rate of the plasma nitrided samples were lower than those of the unnitrided samples. A consistent trend was not observed regarding which nitriding condition would result in lower wear volume and specific wear rate at different loads.     

Study on tribological properties of the DV–FV polyarylate system

Tribological properties of two fully compatible polyarylates having similar chemical structures and different kinetic chain flexibilities have been studied. During the processing and forming the polyarylates, a polymer mixture system containing the copolymer has been formed. It is shown that the formation of the DV?FV polymer system by mixing the “flexible” and “rigid” polyarylates leads to a sharp increase in the glass transition temperature and to a more complicated mechanism of friction characterized by a specific structure of the transfer products. It leads to the formation of metal-polymer system on the counterbody surface. This works provides the possibility to control the tribological properties of polymer mixtures.     

Corrosion and corrosion wear behaviour of plasma carburised Stellite 21 Co–Cr alloy

Abstract

Low temperature plasma surface alloying with carbon (i.e. plasma carburising) of Stellite 21 Co–Cr alloy was conducted at temperatures from 400 to 500°C for 15 h in a gas mixture of 98 vol.-%H₂ and 2 vol.-%CH₄. The surface treated layers were characterised by XRD, SEM and microhardness tests. The corrosion and corrosive wear behaviour of the plasma carburised Stellite 21 Co–Cr alloy were studied respectively using electrochemical tests and well designed reciprocating wear tests in 3·5% NaCl solution. The results show that low temperature (≤460°C) plasma carburising can improve the corrosion resistance of Stellite 21 alloy; the corrosive wear resistance of Stellite 21 can be enhanced by up to three times; and the best corrosive wear resistance is achieved at the highest treating temperature (500°C). The detailed studies on the wear tracks indicate that the corrosive wear process was dependent on the individual wear and corrosion, as well as the synergetic effect.     

Microstructure and properties of Fe–Al intermetallic coatings on the low carbon steel synthesized by mechanical alloying

Fe–Al coating was obtained on low carbon steel substrates using mechanical alloying and subsequent heat treatment. Light optical microscopy and a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to conduct the microstructure characterization. Mechanical properties of the coatings were evaluated by microhardness measurements and wear tests. The corrosion behavior was determined by potentiodynamic polarization measurements in 3.5 % NaCl solution. The results of the mechanical and corrosion tests showed that the hardness and wear resistance of the coatings decreased with increasing the milling time, while increase in the milling time resulted in a significant increase in the thickness, porosity level, and corrosion resistance.     

Development and postoperation state of Ni–Co–Cr–Al–Y plasma heat-resistant coating

The paper presents the results of studying the structure and physical and mechanical properties of a Ni–Co–Cr–Al–Y heat-resistant intermetallic compound coating, formed by the method of the high-energy plasma powder spraying on the working surfaces of turbine blades of a gas turbine engine in the initial state and after completing the designed resource (within ~28000 h), as part of a GTE-45-3 power unit of a thermal power plant (ОАО Yakutenergo).     

Wear characteristics of Cr3C2–NiCr and WC–Co coatings deposited by LPG fueled HVOF

Wear behavior of the HVOF deposited Cr₃C₂–NiCr and WC–Co coatings on Fe-base steels were evaluated by the pin-on-disc mechanism. The constant normal load applied to the pin was 49 N and sliding distance was 4500 m with velocity of 1 m/s, at ambient temperature and humidity. The specific wear rate of WC–Co coating was 3 mm³/N m and Cr₃C₂–NiCr coating was 5.3 mm³/N m. SEM/EDAX and XRD techniques were used to analyze the worn out surface and wear debris. The Fe₂O₃ was identified as the major phase in the wear debris. The wear mechanism is mild adhesive wear in nature.     

A comparative study on the wear properties of coarse-grained Al6061 alloy and nanostructured Al6061–Al2O3 composites

Wear behavior of nanostructured Al6061 alloy and Al6061–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites produced by milling and hot consolidation were investigated. The samples were characterized by hardness test, pin-on-disk wear test, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nanocomposites containing 3 vol% Al₂O₃ showed a maximum hardness of 235 HV and optimum wear rate of 4×10⁻³ mg/m. Increasing the amount of Al₂O₃ up to 5 vol% resulted in decrease in hardness values (∼112 HV) and a sharp rise in wear rate (∼18×10⁻³ mg/m).