Theoretical Justification of Coating Adhesion during Gas-Thermal Spraying

The article provides a brief overview of modern methods of thermal spraying. Particular attention is paid to high-speed flame spraying. The theoretical substantiation of the adhesion of coatings formed on machine parts using the methods of thermal spraying is presented.

Application of Copper Thermal Spraying for Electrical Joints between Superconducting Nb3Sn Cables

This manuscript reports on the application of copper thermal spraying in the manufacturing process of an electrical connection between Nb3Sn cables for superconducting magnets of fusion reactors. The joint is realized through diffusion bonding of the sprayed coating of the two cables. The main requirement for such a connection is its electrical resistance, which must be below 1 nΩ at B = 8 T, I = 63.3 kA and T = 4.5 K. Micrographs of the joint prototype were taken to relate the joint resistance with its microstructure and to provide feedback on the manufacturing process. Optical microscopy (OM) was used to evaluate the grain size of the coating, presence of oxide phases and to analyze the jointed surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and, in particular, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to confirm the elemental composition of specimens extracted from the prototype. It is shown that the copper coating has an oxide concentration of 40%. Despite this, the resistance of the prototype is 0.48 nΩ in operating conditions, as the oxides are in globular form. The contact ratio between the jointed surfaces is about 95%. In addition, residual resistivity ratio (RRR) measurements were carried out to quantify the electrical quality of the Cu coating.

Biomedical Alloys and Physical Surface Modifications: A Mini-Review

Biomedical alloys are essential parts of modern biomedical applications. However, they cannot satisfy the increasing requirements for large-scale production owing to the degradation of metals. Physical surface modification could be an effective way to enhance their biofunctionality. The main goal of this review is to emphasize the importance of the physical surface modification of biomedical alloys. In this review, we compare the properties of several common biomedical alloys, including stainless steel, Co–Cr, and Ti alloys. Then, we introduce the principle and applications of some popular physical surface modifications, such as thermal spraying, glow discharge plasma, ion implantation, ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification, and physical vapor deposition. The importance of physical surface modifications in improving the biofunctionality of biomedical alloys is revealed. Future studies could focus on the development of novel coating materials and the integration of various approaches.

Visible Domain Photocatalysis Performance of Ti-Si Thermal-Sprayed Coatings

Cost and performance-effective materials used in advanced oxidation processes such as photocatalysis have obtained widespread attention in recent years. In this study, thermal spraying was used as a one-step method to obtain thick visible-light-active photocatalyst coatings on two types of substrates, namely, plain carbon steel and copper. A mixed metallic titanium–silicon powder bearing 10% wt. Si was used as feedstock. The optical bandgaps of the coatings were close to 1.000 eV, allowing good photodecoloration efficiencies (>89%) and mineralization efficiencies (>67%) for methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation process could be successfully modelled by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood pseudo-first-order kinetic model, with reaction rate constants k between 0.16 and 1.06 h−1.

Theoretical and technological aspects of production mechani‑cally alloyed powders for the production of coatings and products by additive methods

The established regularities of the formation of powders based on iron and nickel, obtained by the method of mechanical alloying and intended for the deposition of thermal spraying coatings, as well as the manufacture of products by layer‑by‑layer synthesis. The structure, phase composition and properties of materials are investigated. Powders consist of particles with a size of 20–70 microns, differ in the submicrocrystalline type structures, and nonequilibrium phase composition. Thermal spray coatings made of them have a set of properties that significantly exceed the properties of coatings made of commercially available materials. The diameter of the grains of the material obtained by the SLМ method from the synthesized powder is 1.5–2.0 times smaller than that produced from the powder of 316L steel, and the heat resistance is higher.

Research of surface layer properties of piston rings after gas thermal spraying

Today, one of the important problems of mechanical engineering is to increase the reliability and durability of machines. A special place in this matter is occupied by increasing the wear resistance of parts. As for diesel construction, the problem of increasing the hardness and wear resistance of piston rings is very important. Goal. The goal is study of the structure and nature of changes in the hardness of the surface layer obtained by gas-thermal combined spraying, after grinding, running-in and mileage of the diesel engine, i. e., at all stages of the production cycle. Methodology. The coating on the rings was applied by the method of two-wire metallization with independent supply of wires made of 11X18M steel and molybdenum. Metallographic analysis was used to study the structure of the obtained coating. The condition of the surface layer after coating, grinding, running-in and diesel run was studied by measuring the microhardness. Results. Metallographic analysis of the interface between steel and molybdenum coating – cast iron for many rings and different parts of one ring shows that the coating interacts closely with the substrate along the entire application profile. The structure of molybdenum particles demonstrates their fineness. This is due to the fact that the rapid crystallization under pressure contributes to the creation of a fine-grained structure. Comparison of the microhardness of molybdenum and steel wires with steel-molybdenum coating indicates a significant strengthening of molybdenum and steel particles during spraying, due to the processes of structure formation. Experimental data indicate the stability of the hardness of both molybdenum particles and steel particles, which is important for the coating in operation. Originality. Features of formation of a gas-thermal covering at a simultaneous electric arc spraying of molybdenum and 11Х18М steel on piston rings from pig-iron are established. It is shown that a layered structure is formed, which consists mainly of steel and molybdenum particles. The reasons for the wide range of properties of steel and molybdenum particles have been clarified. It is proved that the operational properties of steel-molybdenum coating are due to its antifriction properties, porosity, which provides self-lubrication of the friction surface, good adhesion to the substrate, which increases by 3–4 times compared to traditional methods. Practical value. The proposed technology of gas-thermal spraying significantly increases the service life of piston rings operating in wear conditions.

Determination of Adhesive and Cohesive Strength in Metal Coatings Deposited by Hypersonic Metallization

. It is known that at present, methods of thermal spraying are widely used to restore and strengthen various worn-out machine parts. As a rule, metal coatings applied by thermal spraying have lower strength characteristics than solid materials. It is believed that the strength of coatings is proportional to their adhesive and cohesive strength. The value of adhesive and cohesive strength depends on various factors, including the nature of the materials and the technology of coating. An important factor characterizing the possibility of using metal coatings in various industries is the strength of adhesion of coatings to the base metal. The paper presents the determination of the adhesive and cohesive strength of coatings from different materials, applied by the method of hypersonic metallization. The results of testing the strength of metal coatings made of ER316LSi-grade wire, nichrome (Cr20Ni80) and molybdenum wire are given in the paper. Based on the results of metallographic studies, the proportion of the participation of cohesive and adhesive components in the strength of coatings has been determined, and some features of coating destruction have been described. It has been found that the participation of the cohesive and adhesive components of the coating strength differs depending on the material used. The cohesive component prevails in the strength of coatings made of high-alloy wire of the ER316LSi-grade, at which destruction mainly occurs along the coating-base boundary. For nichrome coatings and especially for coatings made of molybdenum, the cohesive component is predominant, in which the destruction of the coating occurs not along the coating-base boundary, but between the coating layers.

Application of functional coatings by supersonic thermal plasma flows

Development of modern high-speed technologies for thermal spraying proves that deposition of high-quality dense coatings requires velocity of sprayed particles to be 600 m/s and above. Plasma spraying is the most versatile and highly productive deposition method of various functional coatings without any limitations on the melting points of the sprayed materials. Present work describes a DC plasma torch designed for operation in a supersonic mode. The supersonic plasma torch features de Laval nozzle, utilization of air as a plasma-forming gas, and annular injection unit for delivery of the powder to the plasma jet. The comparison of NiCr and NiAl coatings deposited both in subsonic and supersonic modes are presented. Methods for further increasing the sprayed particles’velocity and the requirements for their heating temperature are proposed.

Modeling features of the technological process of forestry machines parts strengthening by the method of gas-thermal spraying

The efficiency of the working bodies of tillage forestry machines is determined by the sharpness of their soil-cutting elements. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the modes of the technological process of strengthening and recovery of cutting working forestry machines by the method of gas-flame spraying of wear-resistant coatings to increase their wear resistance and preserve the blade sharpness by implementing the self-sharpening effect, which allows increasing their life by 2-3 times. Technical and economic indicators of the gas-flame spraying process, as well as the scope of its application, depend on how well the technological modes of the spraying process are selected. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to increase the durability of tillage tools by strengthening their surfaces treatment. Such effective methods include the technology of recovery and strengthening of the working bodies of tillage machines using the technology of gas-flame spraying. In this regard, the issues of conducting research have become particularly relevant: to identify the relationships of technological parameters during the gas-flame application of wear-resistant coatings; to change the strength characteristics of the material of parts during their recovery, providing the necessary reliability and durability.