Role of zirconia filler on friction and dry sliding wear behaviour of bismaleimide nanocomposites

This paper discusses the friction and dry sliding wear behaviour of nano-zirconia (nano-ZrO₂) filled bismleimide (BMI) composites. Nano-ZrO₂ filled BMI composites, containing 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 wt.% were prepared using high shear mixer. The influence of these particles on the microhardness, friction and dry sliding wear behaviour were measured with microhardness tester and pin-on-disc wear apparatus. The experimental results indicated that the frictional coefficient and specific wear rate of BMI can be reduced at rather low concentration of nano-ZrO₂. The lowest specific wear rate of 4 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/Nm was observed for 5 wt.% nano-ZrO₂ filled composite which is decreased by 78% as compared to the neat BMI. The incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ particles leads to an increased hardness of BMI and wear performance of the composites shows good correlation with the hardness up to 5 wt.% of filler loading. The results have been supplemented with scanning electron micrographs to help understand the possible wear mechanisms.     

Fabrication and evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties of boron carbide reinforced aluminum matrix nanocomposites

In this study, fabrication and characterization of bulk Al–B₄C nanocomposites were investigated. B₄C nanoparticles were mixed with pure Al powder by ball milling to produce Al–B₄C powder. Al–B₄C powders containing different amounts of B₄C (5, 10 and 15 wt.%) were subsequently hot pressed to produce bulk nanocomposite samples. Consolidated samples were characterized by hardness, compression and wear tests. Results showed that the sample with 15 wt.% B₄C had the optimum properties. This sample had a value of 164 HV which is significantly higher than 33 HV for pure Al. Also, ultimate compressive strength of the sample was measured to be 485 MPa which is much higher than that for pure Al (130 MPa). The wear resistance of the nanocomposites increased significantly by increasing the B₄C content. Dominant wear mechanisms for Al–B₄C nanocomposites were determined to be formation of mechanical mixed layer on the surface of samples.     

Effect of coal tar pitch modified by sulfur as a binder on the mechanical and tribological properties of bronze-impregnated carbon-matrix composites

Bronze-impregnated carbon-matrix composites were prepared through compression molding, carbonization and impregnation. The mechanism of sulfuration was studied, and the effect of coal tar pitch modified by sulfur as a binder on the mechanical and tribological properties of composites was investigated by varying the content of sulfur. The results showed that the sulfur addition increased the softening point, carbon yield and C/H atomic ratio of coal tar pitch but decreased the toluene solubility and quinoline solubility due to the dehydrogenating polymerization of pitch molecules. The micro-hardness, bending strength and compressive strength of the composites were enhanced by increasing the mass percentage of sulfur and reached a maximum of 160 HV, 132.82 MPa and 293 MPa at 7 wt. % of sulfur, respectively. However, both the hardness and strength of the composites decreased as the content of sulfur increased beyond 7 wt. %. The friction coefficient value of composites increased monotonously, but the wear rate decreased with increasing sulfur content; subsequently, the wear rate reached a minimum of 3.045 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/Nm at 7 wt. % of sulfur and then ascended. The wear mechanisms of the composites were adhesive wear, abrasive wear and oxidative wear. However, adhesive wear and oxidative wear occurred slightly for the composites with the binder modified by sulfur.     

Effect of photoelectrode morphology of single-crystalline anatase nanorods on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

TiO₂ terpineol-based pastes with nanorods (NRs) of over 25 μm thickness have been prepared for the photoactive electrodes of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The NRs, with a length of approximately 80 nm and an aspect ratio of about 3, are made by a two-step hydrothermal process. They have the single crystalline anatase structure and can be dispersed well in water and ethanol. With a high thermal stability and larger surface area (47.2 m² g^− 1) than commercial TiO₂ particles (P25, 39.1 m² g^− 1), the well-dispersed anatase NR films with aggregate-free morphology are transparent. For the photocurrent-voltage measurements, the NR cell exhibits high short-circuit photocurrent (J_SC) under 1 Sun AM 1.5 simulated sunlight due to the higher surface area and transmittance. The open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of NR films is not obviously reduced with incremental thickness, which results from the one-dimensional single crystalline structure of NR due to less surface defects. As compared with the P25 cell, DSSCs made with NRs have a higher fill factor (FF) because of the uniform void spaces. An enhancement of conversion efficiency from 4.88% for P25 to 5.67% for NR is achieved. The P25 particles are incorporated in NR films as light-scattering centers, while the R1P1 containing 50 wt.% of P25 has a high V_OC and FF as compared with P25, but the J_SC is still lower than that of the NR.     

Effects of modification on microstructure and properties of ultrahigh carbon (1.9 wt.% C) steel

The effects of a modifier that contains Rare Earths (RE), low melting point alloy (Al-Bi-Sb) and Ca-Si alloy on an ultrahigh carbon steel containing 1.9 wt.% C were studied. Microstructure characterization was carried out with optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Upon modification, the continuous eutectic carbide network structure was broken up and changed to a partly isolated and finer blocky structure in the as-cast alloy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the eutectoid temperature increased and the eutectic temperature decreased for the modified alloy. Modification also improved the impact toughness of the tempered steel, with a significant increase from 6.5 to 12.6 J cm⁻², despite the hardness remaining around 66 HRC. Furthermore, in pure sliding under loads of 20, 60 and 100 N for 600 s against a zirconia ball, the modified alloy shows slightly higher friction coefficient at all loads than the non-modified one. In addition, the friction coefficient for the steel specimen decreased with load from 20 N to 100 N attributing to a reduction in metallic wear and the formation of a thicker oxide film on the surfaces.     

Influence of the supersaturated silicon solid solution concentration on the effectiveness of severe plastic deformation processing in Al-7 wt.% Si casting alloy

A comparative study of room temperature severe plastic deformation (SPD) of a hypoeutectic Al-7 wt.% Si casting alloy by high pressure torsion (HPT) and equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) has been performed. Microstructural parameters and microhardness were evaluated in the present work. Three different initial Si solid solution contents have been considered: as cast (C sample, 1.6 wt.% Si), annealed and quenched (Q sample, 1.2 wt.% Si) and annealed and furnace cooled (S sample, 0.7 wt.% Si). The samples processed by ECAP have smaller average Si particle sizes (0.9-1.7 μm), than those for samples processed by HPT (2.4-4.4 μm). The initial supersaturated Si solid solution is the major factor affecting the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the material. Fine deformation-induced Si precipitates from the supersaturated solid solution were responsible of the large grain refinement obtained by both SPD processing methods, which was considerably higher than that reported for pure aluminium. Q samples, processed by both SPD methods, containing an intermediate concentration of Si in solid solution, show the highest hardness due to the finest and most homogeneous microstructure. The finest and homogeneous grain size was ∼0.2 μm for the HPTed and ∼0.4 μm for the ECAPed Q samples.     

Effects of thermal treatment on the tribological characteristics of thermoplastic polymer film

Friction tests were carried out using a microtribometer to investigate the effect of thermal treatment on microscale friction and wear between poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film and a fused silica lens. Two films were examined: one that was baked at 413 K for 2 min and one that was baked at 433 K for 24 h. The friction forces on the PMMA films were measured under atmospheric conditions as the temperature of the films was increased from 300 K to 443 K. The contact area between the films and the lens was also examined. As the temperature increased, the friction force increased for both films. The slope of the friction force with temperature and the contact area varied, depending on the state of the film surface; glassy, rubbery, and viscous flow states. The baking conditions also affected the slope, contact area, and wear generation. For temperatures at which the samples were in a glassy state, wear particles were not generated on the sample baked for 24 h. The results demonstrate that the tribological characteristics can be altered by the thermal treatment of the PMMA film as well as the temperature. When the film contains some residual solvent, the residual solvent in the PMMA film can diffuse to the PMMA surface due to heating and thus decrease the friction force under room-temperature conditions.     

Improvement of wear and hardness of steel by nitrogen implantation

This paper reports a study of the influence of atomic nitrogen implantation on the improvement of hardness and wear of AISI 8642 steel. The hardness and wear tests were carried out over the dose range 10¹⁷ -7×10¹⁷ ions/cm² and energy 200 keV. Characterization of the surface and depth profiling of the implanted samples was performed using RBS and XRD techniques. Tribological tests for measuring friction and wear were made on a pin-on-disk stand with different loads for implanted and non-implanted samples. Hardness was measured with a Vickers diamond square-faced pyramid indenter. Nitrogen implantation of steel increased the hardness by about 150% in comparison to the non-implanted samples. The influence of a ‘long-range effect’ established beyond the implanted zone during the ion implantation process on the increase of hardness was discussed. No improvement of the friction coefficient was observed in the steel samples due to nitrogen implantation. On the other hand, the wear at a dose 7×10¹⁷ ions/cm² decreased by a factor of about 20 times compared with the non-implanted steel.     

Effect of fillers and nitrile blended PVC on natural rubber/high styrene rubber with nanosilica blends: Morphology and wear

The blends of high styrene rubber (HSR) and natural rubber (NR) with nitrile blended PVC (NVC) and nanosilica are prepared by using a blending technique in presence of different types of carbon black. The effect of filler on morphological and wear characteristics is studied. ISAF type of carbon black have showed a significant effect on optimum cure time, cure rate index and mechanical properties by reacting at the interface between NVC, HSR and NR matrix. All the samples show only one melting peak on the DSC curve; this is attributed to the same backbone structure of the matrix and the carbon black reinforcement. The samples containing 20 wt.% of NVC with ISAF N234 type of carbon black has shown maximum heat buildup and lower compression set value. Blends containing ISAF type of carbon black with 20 wt.% of NVC shows high abrasion resistant properties against Du-Pont abrader, DIN abrader and different mining rock surfaces and also is found to be the toughest rubber against all types of rock. Coal is identified the main abrader against the rubber blends under this study.     

Friction and wear properties of TiCN coatings sliding against SiC and steel balls in air and water

The TiCN coatings were deposited on WC cemented carbides using enhanced cathodic arc magnetron sputtering. The topography of TiCN coatings were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the composition and structure of TiCN coatings were analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The friction and wear properties of TiCN coatings sliding against SiC and steel balls in air and water were investigated using ball-on-disk tribometer. The results showed that the TiCN coatings had a strong (111) preferred orientation. The friction coefficient and the specific wear rates of the TiCN/SiC tribopairs in air were higher than those in water. When the TiCN coatings slid against SiC balls in water, the friction coefficient and the specific wear rates first decreased, and then increased with the normal load, but decreased linearly with the sliding velocity. The lowest friction coefficient of 0.171 was obtained at 3 N and 0.4 m/s, while the lowest specific wear rate of the TiCN coatings was 2.3 × 10^− 6mm³/Nm at 6 N and 0.1 m/s. The TiCN coatings were worn out when the normal loads were higher than 6 N. When the TiCN coatings slid against the SUJ2 and SUS440C balls in water, the friction coefficient increased to 0.271 and 1.026 respectively. The EDS analysis showed that Fe and O elements existed on the wear track. This indicated that the tribochemical reaction occurred at the friction contact area.     

Thermo-mechanical correlations to erosion performance of short carbon fibre reinforced vinyl ester resin composites

Thermo-mechanical properties and erosion performance of short carbon fibre reinforced vinyl ester resin based isotropic polymer composites with four different fibre weight fractions have been investigated. The storage, loss and damping characteristics were analysed to assess the energy absorption/viscous recoverable energy dissipation and reinforcement efficiency of the composites as a function of fibre content in the temperature range of 0–140 °C. The composite with 30 wt.% of short carbon fibres has been observed to exhibit superior thermo-mechanical response with highest energy dissipation/damping ability accompanied with a constant storage modulus without any substantial decay till 60 °C. The erosion rates (Er) of these composites are evaluated at different impingement angles (30–90°), fibre loadings (20–50 wt.%), impact velocities (43–76 m/s), stand-off distances (55–85 mm) and erodent sizes (250–600 μm) following the erosion test schedule in an air jet type test rig. An optimal parameter combination is determined and subsequently validated for erosion rate minimization following Taguchi method and by conducting confirmation experiments. A correlation between the loss-modulus inverse and the erosion rate has been observed which conceptually establishes a possible mechanistic equivalence between erosion and dynamic mechanical loading modes. The morphologies of eroded surface are examined by the scanning electron microscopy to investigate the nature of wear-craters, material damage mode and other qualitative attributes responsible for promoting erosion.     

Effects of electron-beam and sulfur crosslinking of epoxidized natural rubber on the friction performance of semimetallic friction materials

Semimetallic friction composites (SMFCs) consisting of epoxidized natural rubber (50 mol% epoxidation, ENR 50), alumina nanoparticles, steel wool, graphite, and benzoxazine were prepared via melt mixing using a Haake internal mixer at 90 °C and 60 rpm rotor speed. The composites were vulcanized using sulfur and electron-beam (EB) crosslinking systems. The SMFC samples were then subjected to friction, hardness, porosity, and density tests to determine their friction and wear properties. The morphological changes in the samples were also observed under a scanning electron microscope. The friction and wear properties of SMFCs crosslinked via the EB irradiation and sulfur vulcanization systems were compared. The friction coefficients in normal and hot conditions, as well as the hardness and density of the irradiated SMFC, were higher than those of the sulfur-vulcanized samples at all applied doses. The porosity of the irradiated SMFC at 50, 100, and 150 kGy was higher than that of the sulfur-vulcanized samples; however, the irradiated SMFC exhibited a descending trend at 200 kGy. On the other hand, the specific wear rates of the irradiated samples were lower than those of the sulfur-vulcanized samples at all applied doses. The sample crosslinked via EB irradiation at 150 kGy exhibited the greater tribological property compared with the sulfur-vulcanized SMFC, as indicated by the higher friction coefficient (approximately 0.461) and lower wear rate achieved at 150 kGy irradiation.     

Characterization of alendronate sodium-loaded UHMWPE for anti-osteolysis in orthopedic applications

Ultra-high molecule weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) loaded with alendronate sodium (ALN), a potential drug to prevent debris-induced osteolysis, was developed in our previous study. This study aims to investigate the wear performance of UHMWPE-ALNs. In this study, wear test, mechanical test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and contact angle test were applied to characterize the wear performance, mechanical behavior and physical properties of UHMWPE-ALNs. The effect of ALN on the wear performance of UHMWPE-ALNs was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), back scattering electrons (BSE) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX). The results of wear test showed that the friction coefficient and volumetric loss of UHMWPE-ALN 0.5 wt.% were comparable with those of UHMWPE. The result of SEM-BSE-EDX revealed that the wear debris detached easily from the ALN-agglomerated regions, which was mainly responsible for the decrease of wear resistance of UHMWPE-ALN 1.0 wt.%. The loaded ALN resulted in the increase of hydrophilicity of UHMWPE-ALNs. The decrease of toughness and crystallinity of UHMWPE-ALN 1.0 wt.% attributed to the non-uniform distribution of ALN. The UHMWPE-ALN 0.5 wt.%, in which no ALN agglomeration was observed, possessed approving mechanical properties and wear performance, might have potential clinical application to prevent the debris-induced osteolysis in prosthetic joints.     

Effect of fillers on natural rubber/high styrene rubber blends with nano silica: Morphology and wear

The blends of high styrene rubber (HSR) and natural rubber (NR) with nano silica were prepared using a blending technique in presence of different types of carbon black. The effect of filler on morphological and wear characteristics was studied. ISAF (Intermediate Super Abrasion Furnace) type of carbon black have showed a significant effect on optimum cure time, cure rate index and mechanical properties by reacting at the interface between HSR and NR matrix. All the samples show only one melting peak on the DSC curve; this is attributed to the same backbone structure of the matrix and the carbon black reinforcement. The samples containing 30 wt.% of HSR with ISAF type of carbon black has shown maximum heat buildup, lower swelling and lower compression set value. Blends containing ISAF type of carbon black with 30 wt.% of HSR showed high abrasion resistant properties against Du-Pont abrader, DIN abrader and different mining rock surfaces and also is found to be the toughest rubber against all types of rock. Coal is main abrader against the rubber under this study.     

Bactericidal Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) urinary catheters: Microbiological characterization and effectiveness

This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) catheters containing triclosan at 0.10 wt.%, 0.50 wt.%, 1.00 wt.% and 1.50 wt.%. The catheters were characterized with the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Agar Diffusion Tests. They were evaluated in terms of incrustation, biofilm formation and the efficiency of inhibition of bacterial growth after thirty days of lab tests with artificial urine. This research demonstrated the effectiveness of triclosan for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms when incorporated into long-term catheters. The antimicrobial efficiency and genotoxicity results demonstrate that 0.5 wt.% triclosan is the optimal concentration. The genotoxicity test results indicate that triclosan did not result in any significant alterations in the cellular DNA compared to the catheter without triclosan.     

The wear of aluminium-based journal bearing materials under lubrication

The aluminium-based alloys, nowadays, are developed to be used in high performance engine bearings. In this study, new Al-based bearing alloys, which are produced by metal mould casting, were developed; and tribologic properties of these alloys under lubrication were analyzed experimentally. Four different aluminium alloys were carried out on pin on disc wear tester for that purpose. SAE 1040 steel was used as the disc material in the wear tester. Friction tests were carried out at 0.231–1.036 N/mm² pressures and at 0.6–2.4 m/s sliding speeds. Wear tests were carried out at 1.8 m/s sliding speed and at 70 N normal load. Friction coefficients and weight losses of the samples were determined under various working conditions as a result of the experiments. The morphographies of the worn surfaces were analyzed. Hardness, surface roughness, and surface temperature of the samples were measured. The results showed that the friction and wear behaviors of the alloys have changed according to the sliding conditions. The effects of the elements except aluminium composing alloys on the tribologic properties were analyzed. Al8.5Si3.5Cu alloy has a lower friction coefficient value than other alloys. Al8.5Si3.5Cu and Al15Sn5Cu3Si alloys, on the other hand, have the highest wear resistance. Al15Pb3.7Cu1.5Si1.1Fe alloy is the most worn material; and Al15Pb3.7Cu1.5Si1.1Fe alloy has the highest wear rate. As a result of the evaluations conducted, Al–Sn and Al–Si alloys, which include Si and Sn, can be preferred, among the aluminium alloys that will work under lubrication, as the bearing material.     

Reciprocal sliding wear behaviour of B4C particulate reinforced aluminum alloy composites

Aluminum based composites reinforced with B₄C particles were prepared by cryomilling and subsequent hot pressing steps. The cryomilled powders dispersed with 5 wt.% or 10 wt.% B₄C particles were hot pressed under a pressure of 600 MPa at 350 °C. Microstructural studies conducted on the composites indicated that homogeneous distribution of the B₄C particles in the Al matrix and a good interface between them had been achieved. According to the results of reciprocating wear tests carried out by utilizing alumina and steel balls, wear resistance increased with increasing B₄C particle content.     

Microstructural and tribological characterization of plasma- and gas-nitrided 2Cr13 steel in vacuum

Plasma- and gas-nitrided 2Cr13 samples were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microhardness testing techniques. Nitrogen concentration profiles in the cross-sections of the nitrided samples were obtained by glow discharge optical spectroscopy (GDOS). Residual stress profiles along depth of the nitrided samples were measured using an X-ray stress tester. The tribological behaviour of the plasma- and the gas-nitrided samples in vacuum was investigated in order to analyse the effect of nitriding on wear resistance of the 2Cr13 steel. The results show the tribological properties of the 2Cr13 steel in vacuum are improved considerably by plasma nitriding and gas nitriding resulted from microstructure modification and surface hardening during nitriding. The plasma-nitrided samples have better wear resistance than the gas-nitrided samples under 30 N, while the gas-nitrided samples have higher wear resistance under 90 N. With increasing normal load from 30 N to 90 N, the wear mechanism shows a transition from mild adhesive and abrasive wear to severe adhesive or even delamination wear. The plasma-nitrided sample has thicker compound layer than the gas-nitrided sample, resulting that it exhibits more intensive delamination under high load of 90 N.     

Chrome-tanned leather shavings as a filler of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber

The noxious wastes from the tanning industry such as chrome-tanned leather shavings were used as the only filler of rubber mixes containing carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (XNBR) or butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), and a dispersing agent Limanol PEV (Schill & Seilacher). The best form addition of leather powder to the rubber mixes is mixed the waste protein with zinc oxide. The leather powder added to the rubber mixes improves the mechanical properties: tensile strength (T(s)), elongation at break (epsilon(b)) and increase the cross-linking density of carboxylated XNBR and NBR rubber mixes. Satisfactory results of these studies are presented in this work.     

Preparation of Higher Manganese Silicide (HMS) bulk and Fe-containing HMS bulk using a Na-Si Melt and their thermoelectrical properties

Polycrystalline bulk of higher manganese silicide (HMS) was prepared by heating a compact body of Mn powder in a Na-Si melt at 800 °C for 12 h. The density of the bulk sample was 75% of the theoretical one. The sample showed the highest non-dimensional figure of merit, ZT, of 0.31 at 525 °C. Inhomogeneous distributions of Mn and Fe were observed in the Fe-containing bulk samples prepared from the compact bodies of the mixtures of Mn and Fe powders. The relative densities of samples containing 10 and 20 at.% Fe were 80 and 84% of the theoretical density of HMS, respectively. The maximum ZT values of the samples were 0.31 at 525 °C for the 10 at.% Fe-containing sample and 0.06 at 475 °C for the 20 at.% one.