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Abstract: Ternary zirconia-alumina coatings with different compositional ratios, ranging from pure zirconia to 50% alumina content, were deposited by reactive sputtering from two targets, Zr and Al, in argon-oxygen mixtures. The coating composition was controlled by the Zr/Al target power ratio provided by two pulsed-DC power supplies. The coatings were ~1 µm thick and they were deposited on floating potential substrates at a temperature of 650±3K. XRD indicated that the pure zirconia coatings possessed a monoclinic structure with a grain size of 35-40 nm. Adding alumina to the zirconia coating stabilized the cubic zirconia phase and decreased the grain size to 10-15 nm. The alumina phase in the coatings remained amorphous. The hardness of the nanocomposite structure increased from 11.6±0.5 GPa to 16.1±0.5 GPa for an alumina content of 17%. At higher alumina concentrations, the zirconia phase became amorphous and the hardness decreased to 10-11 GPa. Structure stability of the zirconia-alumina coatings was studied by measuring the coating structure and hardness after annealing at temperatures up to 1173 K. Pure zirconia (m-ZrO2) coatings had low structure stability; the hardness reached a maximum value of 18±1 GPa after annealing at a temperature of 773-873K; however, at higher annealing temperatures the hardness decreased, reaching a minimum value of 12.3±0.6 GPa after annealing at 1173K. The hardness of the nanocomposite ZrO2/Al2O3 coating with various compositions increased with annealing temperature. The hardness of a coating with an alumina content of 17% reached a high value of 19.2±0.5 GPa after annealing at 1073-1173 K. Measurements of post annealing XRD analyses indicated that the stabilization of the coating structure with c-ZrO2/a-Al2O3 phases is the reason for the higher structure stability. From the analyses of phase stability and hardness before and after annealing, we conclude that adding alumina to the zirconia phase promotes the formation of nanocomposite c-ZrO2/a-Al2O3 coatings with a markedly higher stability than single-phase m-ZrO2. Highlights: 1. ZrO2/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings were deposited by co-sputtering from Zr and Al targets. 2. Adding alumina to the zirconia coating stabilized the cubic zirconia phase. 3. ZrO2-17% Al2O3 coatings had a grain size of 10-15 nm and a hardness of 16.1±0.5 GPa. 4. ZrO2/Al2O3 coatings maintained a high hardness after annealing at 1173K with a high value of 19 GPa for alumina content of 17%. 5. The ZrO2/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings were crack-free after annealing at 1173K. Keywords: Stabilized Zirconia, Thin coatings, Magnetron sputtering, Hardness, thermal treatments. |
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Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated on the WC/Co micropunch with diameter in 150 μm for prolonging the life of micropunch was investigated. Carbon nanotubes were synthesized by homemade method. With scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the morphology and structure of CNTs had been expressed. After the punching test with Ti as substrate, the effect of CNTs for prolonging the life of micropunch on the wear loss and the surface morphology of micropunch had been studied by confocal laser, SEM, digital balance etc. Results show the wear of CNTs coated micropunch decreases obviously. Even in the severe wear period the wear loss is less than that of non-CNTs coated micropunch. Compared with the micropunch without CNTs coating, the promising results are due to the formation of a transfer film at the contact region by rubbing of the CNT forest, CNTs produced adheres to the micropunch surface avoiding direct contact during the punching period and providing lubricant properties to the interface by virtue of their graphitic nature. Also, the relevant mechanism was illustrated primarily. Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, micropunch, wear characteristic, WC/Co. |
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Abstract: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has found widespread use. Typically it is used in another matrix to impart certain properties. For example, it is widely used as a white pigment for paints and polymers. The aim of this research work was to achieve improvements in the sense of processability as well as the dispersion performance of alumina surface treated pigmentary TiO2in polymer matrix. Wet chemical method was used to modify the surface of the TiO2 pigment. Surface treatment included precipitation of hydrous oxides of aluminium on the surface of TiO2 particles. During controlled surface treatment, agglomeration has been avoided, which has been proved to improve applicative properties of TiO2 particles. In addition to that, organic additives were applied to enhance performance attributes of the pigmentary TiO2. The effectiveness of surface treatment was determined using scanning-transmission (STEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. Quantitative evaluation of quality and dispersion of the pigments has been performed using Filter pressure test. Lower pressure generated during filter pressure test when particles were well dispersed in a polymer matrix. Surface treatment also affected pigment processibility; i.e. filterability and settling, which is of high importance for process planning. Keywords: Titanium dioxide, Surface treatment, Coatings, Alumina, Dispersibility. |
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Abstract: The paper presents the results of survey, dedicated to synthesis of metal oxide coatings on porous materials applied for implant surgery (stainless steel 12X18H9T, titanium alloy and high-purity niobium VT5). This article examines kinetic features of electrochemical formation of anodic oxide coatings on steel, niobium and titanium. It is shown that for steel anodic treatment method does not provide a reliable surface passivation (no current decay, the surface indicates the transition to the passive state). Analysis of polarization dependences obtained on niobium and titanium in electrolytes with an activator (F-), indicates surface passivation (current slump), and at potentials above 2 on the surface of a transition curves in transpassive state (as evidenced by the current increase). Consequently, it can be concluded that presence of F- results surface activation of titanium and niobium electrode (F- oxide reacts to form water-soluble complexes) that promotes nucleation and formation of pores of the porous structure of the oxide coating. SEM results verify the presence of self-organized porous oxide film synthesized on titanium and niobium in solutions containing F-. Keywords: Oxidation, anodic film, coating, implantant. |
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Abstract: Researchers at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) investigated poly[2-methoxy-5-(2’-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene], (MEH-PPV) for its potential corrosion-inhibition properties on aerospace aluminum alloy AA2024-T3. Solution processing of the polymer, as well as adhesion testing and accelerated weathering tests were performed on MEH-PPV full military aerospace coatings. Wet and dry tape adhesion testing, as well as pencil hardness, impact flexibility and pneumatic adhesion tensile test instrument (PATTI) testing were used to demonstrate the adhesion performance of MEH-PPV on aluminum substrates. The results showed that MEH-PPV had acceptable adhesion characteristics when compared to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) based coatings in all of these tests. Accelerated weathering analysis was performed on MEH-PPV coatings to determine their corrosion protection and weathering resistance capabilities. These tests included neutral salt spray (NSS) exposure and xenon-arc lamp testing. The results showed that while MEH-PPV does not exhibit significant color change after 500 hours of xenon arc lamp exposure, the polymer has poor corrosion protection performance under aggressive salt environments. Keywords: Poly[2-methoxy-5-(2’-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene](MEH-PPV), hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), chromate conversion coating (CCC), adhesion testing, pencil hardness, impact flexibility, accelerated weathering testing. |