Сomposition, structure and functional properties of silver-tungsten composition electrochemistry coatings formed with the help of ultrasound

Influence of electrolyte composition and deposition parameters on the composition, structure, physicalmechanical and functional properties of composite silver-tungsten coatings was studied. It was shown that addition of sodium tungstate in electrolyte and application of ultrasound at the electroplating leads to formation of silver layers that contains tungsten oxides and demonstrates lower crystalline nucleus. Application of ultrasound vibration at the electrochemical deposition increases ability for plating process control and allows to optimize electrophysical and functional properties of composite electrochemical coatings, to make dense fine crystalline thin layers. Obtained layers demonstrate increased microhardness (by 10–50 %), wear resistance (1,5–2 times), corrosion resistance and improved contact electrical resistance. It is shown that application of ultrasound effect to electrodeposition allows increased level of permissible current density and provides.

Design of Corrosion Protective and Antistatic Hybrid Sol-Gel Coatings on 6XXX AlMgSi Alloys for Aerospace Application

An inorganic–organic coating based on glycidyl-functionalized silica and zirconia was synthesized by sol-gel technology to protect three types of AlMgSi (6XXX series) alloys against corrosion in aerospace applications. Different parameters such as the solid content, the organic/inorganic ratio of the sols and the deposition conditions were studied with the aim to achieve a tradeoff between the corrosion protection, antistatic performance and low vacuum-induced outgassing. Those parameters directly influence the thickness and the density of the coatings, and therefore the barrier effect against corrosion and the contact electrical resistance, which are affected in opposite ways. To obtain a low contact electrical resistance, silver nanowires (NW) with a high aspect ratio were loaded in the sol-gel matrix with the aim to create a conductive path through the hybrid coating with a low concentration of NWs. The coatings were adapted for AA6063, AA6061 and AA6082, and they all showed an outstanding anti-corrosion performance in different artificial weathering tests, whereas electrochemical impedance spectroscopy permitted the identification of the most critical parameters affecting water uptake. An antistatic performance was demonstrated by the low contact electrical resistance of the coated AA6061 and AA6063 alloys, although the incorporation of NWs showed a detrimental effect on the corrosion protection compared with the unloaded coating.

Reciprocating wear mechanisms in a Zr-based bulk metallic glass

The dry sliding friction coefficient μ and the wear volume loss W, in a zirconium-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) under high-frequency (50 Hz) reciprocating conditions, were investigated with the objective of assessing the influence of free volume and crystallization on the wear behavior of amorphous metals. The BMG samples were annealed either below the glass transition temperature Tg to induce structural relaxation and hence reduce the free volume that controls plasticity through shear-band formation or above Tg to crystallize the amorphous BMG prior to wear testing. Results show that the wear behavior of both the as-cast and relaxed glasses was dominated by the oxidation of the surface layers. A sharp transition in the contact electrical resistance complemented by a marked increase in μ was noted. This was attributed to the formation of a thick tribo film with high oxygen concentration and its subsequent delamination. The μ values, before as well as after the transition, in the relaxed glasses were similar to those for the as-cast alloy. However, a gradual decrease in W with annealing temperature was observed. A good correlation between W and nanohardness was noted, implying that the intrinsic hardness in the BMGs controlled the wear rate.

Effective Tribology Testing of Lubricating Oils

There are several solutions suggested to develop the unified approach to tribological testing of oils. For evaluation of the coefficient of friction and wear, it is suggested to monitor friction force, normal load, and in-situ wear dynamics, as well as to clearly distinguish the running-in and stable-wear components. Tests on lab-bench testers are recommended to start from obtaining a Stribeck curve in a wide range of loads and speeds. During the tests, monitoring additional parameters of contact acoustic emission and contact electrical resistance is beneficial for sensitive and comprehensive characterization of oils and greases.

Tribology of Graphite and Concrete, Studied by Contact Electrical Resistance Measurement During Cyclic Compression

The tribology of graphite and cement mortar was studied by contact electrical resistance measurement during cyclic compression. Elastic deformation and plastic deformation at asperities were distinctly observed through the reversible and irreversible decreases, respectively, of the contact resistance upon loading. Elastic deformation was dominant at the maximum stress. Plastic deformation progressed and then saturated upon stress cycling.