Dustiness test of nanopowders using a standard rotating drum with a modified sampling train

The standard rotating drum tester was used to determine the dustiness of two nanopowders, nano-TiO₂ and fine ZnO, in standard 1-min tests. Then, the sampling train was modified to determine the number and mass distributions of the generated particles in the respirable size range using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS), an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) and a Multi-orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) in the 30-min tests. It was found that very few particles below 100 nm were generated and the released rate of particles decreased with increasing rotation time for both nanopowders in the 30-min tests. Due to the fluffy structure of the released TiO₂ agglomerated particles, the mass distributions measured by the MOUDI showed large differences with those determined by the APS assuming the apparent bulk densities of the powders. The differences were small for the ZnO agglomerates, which were more compact than the TiO₂ agglomerates.     

Correlation between Al2O3 particles and interface of Al-Al2O3 coatings by cold spray

Al-Al₂O₃ composite coatings with different Al₂O₃ particle shapes were prepared on Si and Al substrate by cold spray. The powder compositions of metal (Al) and ceramic (Al₂O₃) having different sizes and agglomerations were varied into ratios of 10:1 wt% and 1:1 wt%. Al₂O₃ particles were successfully incorporated into the soft metal matrix of Al. It was found that crater formation between the coatings and substrate, which is typical characteristic signature of cold spray could be affected by initial starting Al₂O₃ particles. In addition, when the large hard particles of fused Al₂O₃ were employed, the deep and big craters were generated at the interface between coatings and hard substrates. In the case of pure soft metal coating such as Al on hard substrate, it is very hard to get proper adhesion due to lack of crater formation. Therefore, the composite coating would have certain advantages.     

A Review of Advanced Composite and Nanostructured Coatings by Solid-State Cold Spraying Process

Cold spraying (CS) has been widely explored over the last decade due to its low process temperature and limited thermal effect on spray materials. As a solid-state process, the inherent deficiencies of traditional thermal spraying such as oxidation, decomposition, and grain growth are avoided. This article summarizes the research work on the fabrication of composites and nanostructured coatings by the promising CS process. After a brief introduction to CS and its deposition mechanisms, the preparation methods of spray powders are classified. Different methods are appropriate for particles of various properties, and the tendency is to design composite powders by combined methods in order to create coatings with specified properties. Then, the co-deposition mechanism of composite particles as well as research findings on metal–metal, metal–ceramic, and metal–intermetallic composite coatings are reviewed concerning the deposition characteristics, microstructure and its relation to properties. Moreover, CS has been used to deposit a variety of nanostructured materials, including metals, metal–ceramic composites, and even ceramics, retaining their nanocrystalline nature in the coating without grain growth or phase transformation. Finally, the potential applications of CS and issues to be addressed in coating deposition are discussed.     

Aero-sol-gel Reactor for Nano-powder Synthesis

This paper discusses a new approach to the synthesis of nano-structured oxides where sol-gel reactions are carried out in aerosol droplets. This aero-sol-gel (ASG) reactor allows for manipulation of the structure, chemical composition and surface area of silica powders through variation of process parameters. ASG powders differ in nanostructure from other continuous process powders such as pyrolytic and solution-route powders. ASG powders contain mesopores (>2-nm) and micropores (<2-nm), the mesopores being responsible for high surface areas measured by nitrogen adsorption using BET theory. Primary particles of close to molecular scale are believed to lead to exceedingly large specific surface areas on the order of 600-m²/g. These primary particles aggregate into nanometer scale mass-fractal aggregates that cluster in micron scale agglomerates. Under controlled reaction conditions the powder structure is reproducible as measured by small-angle X-ray scattering, SAXS, analysis. The ASG reactor displays transport effects similar to those previously seen in laminar flame reactors as evidenced by the effect of reactor geometry and reactant concentration on product structure.     

Ti6Al4V合金表面激光沉积复合涂层的组织和性能

为了增强Ti6Al4V钛合金的耐磨性,采用激光沉积制造方法在其表面上制备了以原位生成的TiC颗粒和直接添加的WC颗粒为增强相的耐磨涂层,观察了各涂层的微观组织,并测量了涂层的显微硬度和涂层在室温大气条件下的摩擦磨损性能。结果表明各涂层和基体呈现冶金结合,原位自生的TiC和部分熔化的WC颗粒均能够均匀弥散分布于基体上,由于增强相颗粒的弥散强化及激光沉积组织的细晶强化作用,基材的硬度和耐磨性均得到了提高。原位自生的TiC涂层比WC涂层硬度梯度分布平缓,但耐磨性稍差。     

Investigation of airborne nanopowder agglomerate stability in an orifice under various differential pressure conditions

The stability of agglomerates is not only an important material parameter of powders but also of interest for estimating the particle size upon accidental release into the atmosphere. This is especially important when the size of primary particles is well below the agglomerate size, which is usually the case when the size of primary particles is below 100 nm. During production or airborne transportation in pipes, high particle concentrations lead to particle coagulation and the formation of agglomerates in a size range of up to some micrometers. Binding between the primary particles in the agglomerates is usually due to van der Waals forces. In the case of a leak in a pressurized vessel (e.g. reactor, transport pipe, etc.), these agglomerates can be emitted and shear forces within the leak can cause agglomerates to breakup. In order to simulate such shear forces and study their effect on agglomerate stability within the airborne state, a method was developed where agglomerate powders can be aerosolized and passed through an orifice under various differential pressure conditions. First results show that a higher differential pressure across the orifice causes a stronger fragmentation of the agglomerates, which furthermore seems to be material dependent.     

颜料含量对复合涂层红外发射率的作用机制研究

以聚氨酯(PU)为粘合剂,某片状金属粉为颜料,采用刮涂法制备了PU/片状金属复合涂层。对不同颜料含量条件下涂层的红外发射率进行了测试,并采用扫描电镜对涂层的微结构进行了观察。发射率测试结果表明,涂层发射率随金属粉含量增加呈“∪”型变化。微结构观察结果表明,PU/片状金属复合涂层由PU和片状金属粉交错堆叠而成,具有类似一维光子结构特征。基于涂层的微结构特征,对具有转折变化特征的4个金属粉含量点状态下涂层中一维光子结构的反射光谱进行了模拟计算,结果表明：PU/片状金属复合涂层的发射率随金属粉含量变化呈“∪”型变化关系特征主要是由涂层中一维光子结构的主反射峰中心波长随颜料含量增加所产生的蓝移现象引起的。     

Microstructure and properties of TiB2-containing coatings prepared by arc spraying

Low cost arc spraying and cored wires were used to deposit composite coatings consisting of TiB₂ and TiB₂/Al₂O₃ hard particles in a Ni(Cr) and stainless steel 304L matrix. Four coatings were prepared namely Ni(Cr)-TiB₂, Ni(Cr)-TiB₂/Al₂O₃, 304L-TiB₂ and 304L-TiB₂/Al₂O₃. The microstructural characteristics of powders and coatings were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phase compositions of powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Although all the analyzed coatings exhibited similar lamella structure, remarkable differences not only in the morphology of hard phase and matrix but also in the size and distribution of hard phases were observed from one coating to another. Tribological behavior of the coatings was analyzed in room temperature dry sliding wear tests (block-on-ring configuration), under 75 N at low velocity (0.5 m/s). The coatings showed far high wear resistance than low carbon steel substrate under same conditions examined. Wear loss of 304L-TiB₂ and Ni(Cr)-TiB₂ coatings were lower nearly 15 times than that of steel substrate. TiB₂ hard phases in coatings bonded well with metal matrix contributed to high wear resistance.     

Metal particle combustion and nanotechnology

Metal combustion has received renewed interest largely as a result of the ability to produce and characterize metallic nanoparticles. Much of the highly desirable traits of nanosized metal powders in combustion systems have been attributed to their high specific surface area (high reactivity) and potential ability to store energy in surfaces. In addition, nanosized powders are known to display increased catalytic activity, superparamagnetic behavior, superplasticity, lower melting temperatures, lower sintering temperatures, and higher theoretical densities compared to micron and larger sized materials. The lower melting temperatures can result in lower ignition temperatures of metals. The combustion rates of materials with nanopowders have been observed to increase significantly over similar materials with micron sized particles. A lower limit in size of nanoenergetic metallic powders in some cases may result from the presence of their passivating oxide coating. Consequently, coatings, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), and the development of composite materials that limit the volume of non-energetic material in the powders have been under development in recent years. After a brief review of the classifications of metal combustion based on thermodynamic considerations and the different types of combustion regimes of metal particles (diffusion vs. kinetic control), an overview of the combustion of aluminum nanoparticles, their applications, and their synthesis and assembly is presented.     

Characterization of palmitic and lauric acid aerosols from rapid expansion of supercritical CO2 solutions

Palmitic acid aerosols and lauric acid aerosols were generated by rapid expansion of supercritical CO₂ solutions. The particle properties were analysed by rapid-scan infrared spectroscopy in situ, by X-ray powder diffraction, with a scanning mobility particle sizer, and by scanning electron microscopy. Particles with irregular elongated shapes were found. Most particles and agglomerates have sizes between 250 and 750 nm. Fewer agglomerates with sizes up to several microns are observed. Our investigation reveals that strong agglomeration takes place at the Mach disc. Palmitic and lauric acid particles are both crystalline and most particles crystallize in the C-form.