Tribological wear of Fe-Al coatings applied by gas detonation spraying

Comparative tests of gas detonation (GDS) coatings were carried out in order to investigate the influence of spraying parameters on abrasive wear under dry friction conditions. The tests were carried out using the pin-on-disc (PoD) method at room temperature. The microstructure of the coatings was analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM / EDS) methods. The results showed that with specific GDS process parameters, the main phases in both coatings were FeAl and Fe3Al involving thin oxide films Al2O3. The tribological tests proved that the coatings sprayed with the shorter barrel of the GDS gun showed higher wear resistance. The coefficient of friction was slightly lower in the case of coatings sprayed with the longer barrel of the GDS gun. During dry friction, oxide layers form on the surface, which act as a solid lubricant. The load applied to the samples during the tests causes shear stresses, thus increasing the wear of the coatings. During friction, the surface of the coatings is subjected to alternating tensile and compressive stresses, which lead to delamination and is the main wear mechanism of the coatings.

Investigation of the Oxidation of Plasma Sprayed Silicon Coating

The quality of plasma sprayed silicon coating determined by density and spreading condition of lamella greatly influences its performance. The oxidation of silicon coating deteriorates its performance. However, the investigators mostly focus on the oxidation and mechanism of amorphous silicon, porous silicon and specific crystal planes on single crystal. The factors which influence the quality and oxidation of silicon coating has never be studied. The helium secondary gas flow has more influence on the quality of silicon coating than other spraying parameters. So, we prepare the silicon coating by plasma spraying technology with different secondary gas flow. The relationship between silicon coating’s quality and secondary gas flow is investigated. Furthermore, the oxidation of plasma sprayed silicon coating is discussed. We find that the secondary gas has an adverse effect on quality and oxidation degree of silicon coating. With the decrease of secondary gas flow, both quality and oxygen content of coatings increase. Besides, the oxygen atoms heterogeneously concentrate at the outermost layer of silicon lamellas. Components of oxygen enrichment area (OEA) from outside to inside are Si + SiOx+SiO2→Si + Si2O + SiO2→Si + SiOx→Si (1 < x < 1.5). The width of OEA in lamellas at top layer of silicon coating is about 180nm, obviously thicker than that in inner lamellas. The results obtained from research can provide support to better understand the behavior of silicon coating in the service process.

Influence of Detonation-Spraying Parameters on the Phase Composition and Tribological Properties of Al2O3 Coatings

Al2O3 coatings were applied on the surface of 12Ch18N10T steel by the detonation method at different degrees of filling of the detonation gun. The aim was to study the influence of technological parameters on the formation of the coating’s structure, phase composition and tribological characteristics. The degree of filling the gun with a gas mixture (C2H2/O2) varied from 53% to 68%. X-ray diffraction study showed that the content of α-Al2O3 increases depending on the degree of filling. The results showed that the hardness increases with an increase in the α-Al2O3 phase. When the gun is 53% filled with gas, the Al2O3-based coating has the hardness of 20.56 GPa compared to 58%, 63% and 68% fillings. Tribology tests have shown that the wear rate and friction coefficient of the coating is highly dependent on the degree of filling of the gun.

Opportunities and Possibilities of Developing an Advanced Precision Spraying System for Tree Fruits

Reducing risk from pesticide applications has been gaining serious attention in the last few decades due to the significant damage to human health, environment, and ecosystems. Pesticide applications are an essential part of current agriculture, enhancing cultivated crop productivity and quality and preventing losses of up to 45% of the world food supply. However, inappropriate and excessive use of pesticides is a major rising concern. Precision spraying addresses these concerns by precisely and efficiently applying pesticides to the target area and substantially reducing pesticide usage while maintaining efficacy at preventing crop losses. This review provides a systematic summary of current technologies used for precision spraying in tree fruits and highlights their potential, briefly discusses factors affecting spraying parameters, and concludes with possible solutions to reduce excessive agrochemical uses. We conclude there is a critical need for appropriate sensing techniques that can accurately detect the target. In addition, air jet velocity, travel speed, wind speed and direction, droplet size, and canopy characteristics need to be considered for successful droplet deposition by the spraying system. Assessment of terrain is important when field elevation has significant variability. Control of airflow during spraying is another important parameter that needs to be considered. Incorporation of these variables in precision spraying systems will optimize spray decisions and help reduce excessive agrochemical applications.

Influence of Atmospheric Plasma Spray Parameters (APS) on the Mechanical Properties of Ni-Al Coatings on AluminumAlloy Substrate

Thermal spray is one of the most widely used coating techniques to improve wear, surface fatigue or corrosion properties. In the atmospheric plasma spray (APS) process, a powdered material is melted by hydrogen and argon combustion and is propelled at high speed onto the target substrate. The high impact energy of the particles produces a dense and resistant coating layer. Mechanical and surface properties of the obtained coating depend on various spraying parameters, such as gas flow, traverse speed and spraying distance, among others. In this research, the influence of these manufacturing parameters on the thickness, hardness and resistance of the coating obtained from a Ni-Al alloy sprayed onto an aluminum alloy substrate was studied. In order to analyze the effect of these parameters on the coating properties, an extensive experimental program was carried out. A metallographic analysis, hardness and strength measurements were carried out using the small punch test to locally study the mechanical properties of the coating surface. The design of experiments and the response surface methodology facilitate the assessment of the optimal set of spraying parameters.