ABSTRACT
In this work, the effect of the substrate, Al 7075 alloy and 1H18NT9 stainless steel, on the microstructure and tribological properties of cold sprayed (Cr3C2-25(Ni20Cr))-(Ni-graphite) coatings was investigated. Both coatings were dense and did not reveal any discontinuities at the interfaces. They had similar Cr3C2 and graphite contents. Their microstructures showed a variety of grain sizes of the matrix phase between the inner part of the splat, showing large ones, and their boundaries, where elongated and nanostructured grains were formed during the deposition process. The coating deposited on the steel substrate revealed a slightly higher hardness and lower abrasive wear with the Al2O3 loose abrasive particles. The force required to destroy the durability of the coating-steel substrate system in the three-point bending test was higher than those of the other ones. The cermet deposit cold sprayed on steel and examined at 25 °C under 10 N revealed the best wear resistance and the lowest friction coefficient.
ABSTRACT
The mechanical properties such as compressive strength and nanohardness were investigated for Pinctada margaritifera mollusk shells. The compressive strength was evaluated through a uniaxial static compression test performed along the load directions parallel and perpendicular to the shell axis, respectively, while the hardness and Young modulus were measured using nanoindentation. In order to observe the crack propagation, for the first time for such material, the in-situ X-ray microscopy (nano-XCT) imaging (together with 3D reconstruction based on the acquired images) during the indentation tests was performed. The results were compared with these obtained during the micro-indentation test done with the help of conventional Vickers indenter and subsequent scanning electron microscopy observations. The results revealed that the cracks formed during the indentation start to propagate in the calcite prism until they reach a ductile organic matrix where most of them are stopped. The obtained results confirm a strong anisotropy of both crack propagation and the mechanical strength caused by the formation of the prismatic structure in the outer layer of P. margaritifera shell.
ABSTRACT
In this study, the laser metal deposition (LMD) of the Inconel 625â»tungsten carbide (WC) metal matrix composite was investigated. The composite coating was deposited on Inconel 625 substrate by powder method. A powder mixture containing 10 wt% of WC (5 µm) was prepared by wet mixing with dextrin binder. Coating samples obtained by low-power LMD were pore- and crack-free. Ceramic reinforcement was distributed homogenously in the whole volume of the material. Topologically close-packed (TCP) phases were formed at grain boundaries between WC and Inconel 625 matrix as a result of partial dissolution of WC in a nickel-based alloy. Line analysis of the elements revealed very small interference of the coating in the substrate material when compared to conventional coating methods. The average Vickers hardness of the coating was about 25% higher than the hardness of pure Inconel 625 reference samples.
