Fretting tribological performance of DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings deposited on carburized 18CrNi4A steel

To improve the fretting wear performance of 18CrNi4A steel, DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings were deposited on the surface of carburized 18CrNi4A steel, respectively. The microstructure morphologies, chemical compositions, and mechanical properties of these coatings were evaluated. The fretting tribological properties of pad/flat contact pairs for carburized 18CrNi4A steel, DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings were investigated in different lubricant environments including dry sliding and #RIPP 7254 aviation grease. The results show that DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings deposited on the carburized 18CrNi4A steel surface can improve surface roughness, hardness, fracture toughness and resistance to plastic deformation. DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings deposited on the surface of carburized 18CrNi4A steel can make the surface of the substrate have excellent fretting wear properties. DLC and DLC/TiAlN coatings have lower coefficient of friction and better fretting wear resistance than TiAlN coatings in dry sliding condition, and DLC/TiAlN coatings have the lowest wear rate in #RIPP 7254 grease lubrication condition. In addition, the wear mechanisms of carburized 18CrNi4A steel, DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings in dry sliding and #RIPP 7254 aviation grease conditions were analyzed.

Effect of Homogenization Annealing on Wear Properties of Thixo-Extrued Copper Alloy

The semi-solid extruded CuSn10P1 alloy bushings were homogenization annealed. The effects of annealing process on the hardness and wear properties of bushings were researched. The results show the Brinell hardness increases firstly and then decreases with the increase of annealing temperature and annealing time. With the annealing temperature increasing, the grinding loss rate and friction factor decrease firstly and then increase. At the annealing time of 120 min, the grinding loss rate decreases from 7% at the annealing temperature of 450 °C to 6% at 500 °C, and then increases from 6% at 500 °C to 12% at 600 °C. The friction factor decreases from 0.54 to 0.48 and then increases to 0.83. At the annealing temperature of 500 °C, the grinding loss rate decreases from 11% at the annealing time of 60 min to 6% at 120 min, and then increases to 15% at 150 min. The friction factor decreases from 0.67 to 0.48 and then increases to 0.72. The best wear performance and Brinell hardness can be obtained at annealing temperature of 500 °C for 120 min.

Enhanced Mechanical and Tribological Capabilities of a Silicon Aluminum Alloy with an Electroplated Ni–Co–P/Si3N4 Composite Coating

Ni–Co–P/Si3N4 composite coatings were fabricated over an aluminum–silicon (Al–Si) substrate using a pulse-current electroplating process, in which the rapid deposition of an intermediate nickel–cobalt layer was used to improve coating adhesion. The microstructure, mechanical, and tribological behaviors of the electroplated Ni–Co–P/Si3N4 composite coating were characterized and evaluated. The results revealed that the electroplated Ni–Co–P/Si3N4 composite coating primarily consisted of highly crystalline Ni–Co sosoloid and P, and a volumetric concentration of 7.65% Si3N4. The electroplated Ni–Co–P/Si3N4 composite coating exhibited hardness values almost two times higher than the uncoated Al–Si substrate, which was comparable to hard chrome coatings. Under lubricated and dry sliding conditions, the electroplated Ni–Co–P/Si3N4 composite coating showed excellent anti-wear performance. Whether dry or lubricated with PAO and engine oil, the composite coating showed minimum abrasive wear compared to the severe adhesive wear and abrasive wear observed in the Al–Si substrate.

Effect of Austempering below and above Ms on the Microstructure and Wear Performance of a Low-Carbon Bainitic Steel

The microstructure and wear performance of a low-carbon steel treated by austempering below and above martensite start temperature (Ms) were investigated. The results show that the bainite, fresh martensite (FM) and retained austenite (RA) were observed in samples austempered above Ms. Except for the three above phases, the athermal martensite (AM) was also observed in samples austempered below Ms. The bainite transformation was accelerated and finer bainite was obtained due to the AM formation in samples austempered below Ms. In addition, the strength and hardness were improved with the decrease of the isothermal temperature and time, whereas the total elongation decreased with the increasing isothermal time and the decreasing isothermal temperature. Moreover, the materials austempered below Ms exhibited better wear performance than the ones treated above Ms, which is attributed to the improved impact toughness by the finer bainite and the enhanced hardness by AM. The best wear resistance was obtained in the samples austempered at 300 °C below Ms for 200 s, due to the highest hardness and considerable impact toughness.