Preparation and properties of electroless Ni-P-SiO2 composite coatings

Dispersible SiO₂ nanoparticles were co-deposited with electroless Ni-P coating onto AISI-1045 steel substrates in the absence of any surfactants in plating bath. The resulting Ni-P/nano-SiO₂ composite coatings were heat-treated for 1 h at 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. The hardness and wear resistance of the heat-treated composite coatings were measured. Moreover, the structural changes of the composite coatings before and after heat treatment were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), while their elemental composition and morphology were analyzed using an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results show that co-deposited SiO₂ particles contributed to increase the hardness and wear resistance of electroless Ni-P coating, and the composite coating heat-treated at about 400 °C had the maximum hardness and wear resistance.     

Microstructure performance and formation mechanism of laser alloying rare earth oxides modified nanocrystalline layer on TA7

Nanoscale particles (NP) were observed in a Ni60–Ag–Si₃N₄–Y₂O₃ laser alloying (LA) layer on a TA7 titanium alloy, NP usually locate on the grain boundaries, which are able to block the motion of dislocation in a certain extent. Such layer mainly consisted of γ-Ni, TiN, γ-(Fe, Ni), TiAg and lots of amorphous phases. The wear resistance of such layer with laser scanning speed 3 mm/s was better than that of a LA layer with 6 mm/s, which was mainly ascribed to an uniform microstructure and less defect of layer. The high laser scanning speed made the existing time of laser molten pool be shorter than before, favoring the formation of a fine microstructure. However, the defects, such as pores were produced in LA layer (higher scanning speed), decreasing the wear resistance.     

Evaluation of thermal and flame properties of HDPE-MWCNT-SiO2 nanocomposites

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nano-silicon dioxide (SiO₂) fillers were evaluated for flame retardancy and thermal properties for cable and wire applications. In this study, the filler percentages of MWCNT and nano-SiO₂ have varied from 0 to 5 wt% in HDPE composite with polyethylene-grafted glycidyl methacrylate compatibilizer and 3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane coupling agent. Addition of MWCNT’s and nano-SiO₂ to the HDPE composite is observed to enhance the limiting oxygen index and char formation. Cone calorimeter results also show a 53% reduction in the peak heat release rate of the HDPE composite with 5 wt% of MWCNT. The existence of synergism between the uniformly dispersed MWCNT and nano-SiO₂ has been verified using Finite Element Method (FEM)-based thermal simulations.     

Composite electroplating of Cu-SiO2 nano particles on carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The main purpose of this work is to co-deposit nano-SiO₂ particles into the copper coatings on carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (C/EP) composite surface by electrodeposition method in order to improve the micro hardness of coatings. C/EP composites are copper plated with sulfuric acid based solution, and the effects of nano-SiO₂ and C₆H₁₂O₆ in the electrolyte contents on the copper coatings are investigated. It is found that crystalline grains of coatings are markedly refined by nano-SiO₂ in the acidic sulfate copper plating bath and the ceramic particles cause an increase in hardness of coatings though nano-SiO₂ results in a decline of deposition rate and a decrease in electrical conductivity of electroplating layers. Otherwise, C₆H₁₂O₆ in the plating bath is indispensable to the layer formation even though nano-SiO₂ added. These results demonstrate that the hardness of coatings will be increased with appropriate contents of co-deposited SiO₂ and C₆H₁₂O₆ in the plating bath.     

Development and characterization of laser surface cladding (Ti,W)C reinforced Ni–30Cu alloy composite coating on copper

To improve the wear resistance of copper components, laser surface cladding (LSC) was applied to deposit (Ti,W)C reinforced Ni–30Cu alloy composite coating on copper using a cladding interlayer of Ni–30Cu alloy by Nd:YAG laser. The microstructure and phases of the composite coating were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray energy dispersive microanalysis (EDX). Microhardness tester and pin-on-disc wear tester were employed to evaluate the hardness and dry-sliding wear resistance. The results show that crack-free composite coating with metallurgical bonding to the copper substrate is obtained. Phases identified in the (Ti,W)C-reinforced Ni–30Cu alloy composite layer are composed of TiWC₂ reinforcements and (Ni,Cu) solid solution. TiWC₂ reinforcements are distributed uniformly in the (Ni,Cu) solid solution matrix with dendritic morphology in the upper region and with particles in the mid-lower region. The microhardness and wear properties of the composite coating are improved significantly in comparison to the as-received copper substrate due to the addition of 50 wt% (Ti,W)C multicarbides.     

Elevated temperature dry sliding wear behavior of nickel-based composite coating on austenitic stainless steel deposited by a novel central hollow laser cladding

In order to improve the high-temperature wear resistance of austenitic stainless steel, a wear resistant composite coating reinforced with hard (Cr,Fe)₇C₃ carbide and toughened by ductile γ-(Ni,Fe)/(Cr,Fe)₇C₃ eutectic matrix was fabricated by a novel central hollow laser cladding technique. The constituent phases and microstructure as well as high-temperature tribological behaviors of the Ni-based coating were investigated, respectively, and the corresponding wear mechanisms were discussed. It has been found that the composite coating exhibits superior wear resistance than substrate either at ambient or high temperatures. The coating shows better sliding wear resistance at 600 °C than 300 °C owing to high-temperature stability of the reinforced carbide and polishing effect as well as formation of continuous lubricious films, which implied it has large potential industrial applications at relatively higher temperatures.     

Physical and electrochemical characterizations of Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings

Advances in materials performance often require the development of composite system. In the present investigation, SiO₂-reinforced nickel composite coatings were deposited on a mild steel substrate using direct current electrodeposition process employing a nickel acetate bath. Surface morphology, composition, microstructure and crystal orientation of the Ni and Ni-SiO₂ nanocomposite coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The effect of incorporation of SiO₂ particles in the Ni nanocomposite coating on the microhardness and corrosion behaviour has been evaluated. Smooth composite deposits containing well-distributed silicon oxide particles were obtained. The preferred growth process of the nickel matrix in crystallographic directions <111>, <200> and <220> is strongly influenced by SiO₂ nanoparticles. The average crystallite size was calculated by using X-ray diffraction analysis and it was ~23 nm for electrodeposited nickel and ~21 nm for Ni-SiO₂ nanocomposite coatings. The crystallite structure was fcc for electrodeposited nickel and Ni-SiO₂ nanocomposite coatings. The incorporation of SiO₂ particles into the Ni matrices was found to improve corrosion resistance of pure Ni coatings. The corrosion potential (E _corr) in the case of Ni-SiO₂ nanocomposite coatings had shown a negative shift, confirming the cathodic protective nature of the coating. The Ni-SiO₂ composite coatings have exhibited significantly improved microhardness (615 HV) compared to pure nickel coatings (265 HV)     

Cycle oxidation behavior of nanostructured Ni60-TiB2 composite coating sprayed by HVOF technique

Cycle oxidation resistance at 800 °C in static air was investigated for a nanostructured Ni60-TiB₂ composite coating sprayed by high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF). For comparison, a Ni60-TiB₂ conventional composite coating was also studied. The results indicate that, the oxidation processes of both composite coatings are controlled by diffusion mechanism, and the nanostructured composite coating has better cycle oxidation resistance than that of the conventional composite coating. The reasons for this improvement can be attributed to the formation of the intact SiO₂ and Cr₂O₃ protective layer, and the enhanced adhesion between oxide film and nanostructure coating.     

Microstructure and wear resistance of composite layers on a ductile iron with multicarbide by laser surface alloying

Multicarbide reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) layers on a ductile iron (QT600-3) were fabricated by laser surface alloying (LSA) using two types of laser: a 5 kW continuous wave (CW) CO₂ laser and a 400 W pulsed Nd:YAG laser, respectively. The research indicated that LSA of the ductile iron with multicarbide reinforced MMC layers demonstrates sound alloying layers free of cracks and porosities. The microstructure, phase structure and wear properties of MMC layers were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as dry sliding wear testing. The microstructure of the alloyed layer is composed of pre-eutectic austenite, ledeburite, spherical TiC, Cr₇C₃ and Cr₂₃C₆ with various morphologies. TiC particles are dispersed uniformly in the upper region of MMC layers. The average hardness of LSA layers by CO₂ laser and pulsed Nd:YAG laser is 859 HV_0.2 and 727 HV_0.2, respectively. The dry sliding wear testing shows the wear resistance of ductile iron is significantly improved after LSA with multicarbide.     

Zr基大块非晶中添加元素对非晶形成能力及耐蚀性的影响

运用实空间递归方法研究了添加元素Nb,Ta,Y,La对Zr基非晶合金的非晶形成能力和耐腐蚀性能的影响.用计算机编程构造了Zr基非晶中初始晶化相Zr₂Ni的原子结构模型,用Zr₂Ni中的二十面体原子团簇模拟非晶中的二十面体团簇.计算了替代二十面体中心或顶角位置原子前后Ni,Zr及合金元素的局域态密度、团簇中心Ni与近邻Zr原子及Ni与替代元素Nb,Ta,Y,La间的键级积分,还计算了合金元素替代前后团簇的费米能级.局域态密度计算结果表明：合金元素Cu占据二十面体团 关键词： 电子结构 Zr基大块非晶 非晶形成能力 耐蚀性     

Mechanochemically conjugated PMHS/nano-SiO2 hybrid and subsequent optimum grafting density study

In this paper, we reported the preparation of poly(methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS)/SiO₂ hybrid particles by mechanochemical method based on high energy ball milling (HEBM). The obtained hybrid particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ²⁹Si CP (cross-polarization) MAS NMR, viscosity measurement, particle size distribution, thermal analysis (TGA, DSC and DTG), static contact angle (CA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FT-IR and ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR spectra indicate that PMHS is chemically anchored onto the surface of nano-SiO₂. Viscosity measurement, particle size distribution, FE-SEM and TEM demonstrate that an appropriate grafting density optimizes the dispersion of nanoparticles in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix, so lower viscosity can be achieved. Too high or too low grafting density may only achieve suboptimal and poor dispersions. The optimum grafting density of PMHS on nano-SiO₂ was determined by thermal analysis, with approximately 0.0531 PMHS/nm². Static contact angle measurement indicates that the water contact angle of hybrid particles is modulated by changing the grafting density of PMHS on nano-SiO₂. The CA value of PMHS/SiO₂ hybrid with optimum grafting density is 139.4°, and the highest CA value of PMHS/SiO₂ hybrid is approximately 158.2°.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/SiO2 nanocomposites

In order to achieve good dispersion of nano-SiO₂ and increase the interactions between nano-SiO₂ and PU matrix, nano-SiO₂ was firstly modified with poly(propylene glycol) phosphate ester (PPG-P) which was a new polymeric surfactant synthesized through the esterification of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and polyphosphoric acid (PPA). Then a series of polyurethane (PU)/SiO₂ nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization. The surface modification of nano-SiO₂, the microstructure and the properties of nanocomposites were investigated by FTIR, SEM, XRD and TGA. It was found that good dispersion of nano-SiO₂ achieved in PU/SiO₂ nanocomposite after the modification with PPG-P. The segmented structures of PU were not interfered by the presence of nano-SiO₂ in these nanocomposites.     

Preparation and characterization of nickel nano-Al2O3 composite coatings by sediment co-deposition

Ni-Al₂O₃ composite coatings were prepared by using sediment co-deposition (SCD) technique and conventional electroplating (CEP) technique from Watt's type electrolyte without any additives. The microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of resulting composites were investigated. The results show that the incorporation of nano-Al₂O₃ particles changes the surface morphology of nickel matrix. The preferential orientation is modified from (2 0 0) plane to (1 1 1) plane. The microhardness of Ni-Al₂O₃ composite coatings in the SCD technique are higher than that of the CEP technique and pure Ni coating and increase with the increasing of the nano-Al₂O₃ particles concentration in plating solution. The wear rate of the Ni-Al₂O₃ composite coating fabricated via SCD technique with 10 g/l nano-Al₂O₃ particles in plating bath is approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of pure Ni coating. Wear resistance for SCD obtained composite coatings is superior to that obtained by the CEP technique. The wear mechanism of pure Ni and nickel nano-Al₂O₃ composite coatings are adhesive wear and abrasive wear, respectively.     

Study on the Morphological and Mechanical Properties of Nylon 6/ABS/Nano-SiO2 Composites

The mechanical properties and morphology of the composites of nylon 6, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) rubber, and nano-SiO₂ particles were examined as a function of the nano-SiO₂ content. A mixture with separation and encapsulation microstructures existed in the nylon 6/ABS/nano-SiO₂ at lower nano-SiO₂ content, and ABS and nano-SiO₂ improved the toughness synergistically, while obvious agglomeration appeared at higher nano-SiO₂ content and the impact strength decreased. Moreover, the addition of nano-SiO₂ particles also affected the dispersion of the rubber phase, resulting in the appearance of smaller rubber particles. The deformation and toughening mechanisms of the composites were also investigated; they resulted from rubber voiding, crack forking, and plastic deformation of the matrix.     

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.     

Electrodeposition and tribological properties of Ni-SrSO4 composite coatings

Ni-SrSO₄ composite coatings were electrodeposited on superalloy Inconel 718 from a Watts electrolyte containing a SrSO₄ suspension. Ni-SrSO₄ coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscope, microhardness tester, and friction and wear tester in sliding against a bearing steel ball under unlubricated condition. The incorporation of SrSO₄ into Ni matrix increases the microhardness of electrodeposited coatings. Ni-SrSO₄ composite coating exhibits a distinctly low friction coefficient and a small wear rate as contrasted with pure Ni coating and the substrate. The effect of SrSO₄ particles on microstructure and tribological properties of Ni-SrSO₄ composite coatings is discussed.     

Electron beam-physical vapor deposition of SiC/SiO2 high emissivity thin film

When heated by high-energy electron beam (EB), SiC can decompose into C and Si vapor. Subsequently, Si vapor reacts with metal oxide thin film on substrate surface and formats dense SiO₂ thin film at high substrate temperature. By means of the two reactions, SiC/SiO₂ composite thin film was prepared on the pre-oxidized 316 stainless steel (SS) substrate by electron beam-physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) only using β-SiC target at 1000 °C. The thin film was examined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), grazing incidence X-ray asymmetry diffraction (GIAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), backscattered electron image (BSE), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transformed infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The analysis results show that the thin film is mainly composed of imperfect nano-crystalline phases of 3C-SiC and SiO₂, especially, SiO₂ phase is nearly amorphous. Moreover, the smooth and dense thin film surface consists of nano-sized particles, and the interface between SiC/SiO₂ composite thin film and SS substrate is perfect. At last, the emissivity of SS substrate is improved by the SiC/SiO₂ composite thin film.     

Cr-Ni-Mo-Co surface alloying layer formed by plasma surface alloying in pure iron

Using double glow plasma alloying technique, a multi-elements alloyed layer containing elements of Cr, Ni, Mo and Co was formed on the surface of pure iron. After undergoing suitable aging treatment followed solid solution treatment, the formed alloying layer keeps a good combination of corrosion resistance and wear resistance. The relationship between the process parameters of heat treatments and the properties of the formed Cr-Ni-Mo-Co alloying layer, such as the chemical composition, hardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance, was investigated in this study. It was revealed that the formed alloying layer exhibits a better behavior than that of 304 stainless steel and pure iron by employing a suitable heat treatment system. The temperature employed in solid solution treatment is 1453 K (1180 °C) followed by water quenching and the aging temperature is 813 K (540 °C) followed by water cooling.     

反应溅射VN/SiO2纳米多层膜的微结构与力学性能

采用V和SiO₂靶通过反应溅射方法制备了一系列具有不同SiO₂和VN调制层厚的VN/SiO₂纳米多层膜. 利用X射线衍射、X射线能量色散谱、高分辨电子显微镜和微力学探针表征了多层膜的微结构和力学性能. 结果表明：在Ar，N₂混和气体中，射频反应溅射的SiO₂薄膜不会渗氮. 单层膜时以非晶态存在的SiO₂，当其厚度小于1nm时，在多层膜中因VN晶体层的模板效应被强制晶化，并与VN层形成共格外延生长. 相应地，多层膜的硬度得到明显提高，最高硬度达34GPa. 随SiO₂层厚度的进一步增加，SiO₂层逐渐转变为非晶态，破坏了与VN层的共格外延生长结构，多层膜硬度也随之降低. VN调制层的改变对多层膜的生长结构和力学性能也有影响，但并不明显. 关键词： 2纳米多层膜')" href="#">VN/SiO₂纳米多层膜 共格外延生长 非晶晶化 超硬效应     

Laser cladding of in situ TiB2/Fe composite coating on steel

To enhance the wear resistance of mechanical components, laser cladding has been applied to deposit in situ TiB₂/Fe composite coating on steel using ferrotitanium and ferroboron as the coating precursor. The phase constituents and microstructure of the composite coating were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Microhardness tester and block-on-ring wear tester were employed to measure the microhardness and dry-sliding wear resistance of the composite coating. Results show that defect-free composite coating with metallurgical joint to the steel substrate can be obtained. Phases presented in the coating consist of TiB₂ and α-Fe. TiB₂ particles which are formed in situ via nucleation-growth mechanism are distributed uniformly in the α-Fe matrix with blocky morphology. The microhardness and wear properties of the composite coating improved significantly in comparison to the as-received steel substrate due to the presence of the hard reinforcement TiB₂.