Investigations on the properties of composite coatings electro co-deposited on AZ80 Mg alloy using triangular waveform pulse current

In this research, boron carbide (B4C) and titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles were deposited along with Nickel on AZ80 magnesium alloy substrates. Triangular waveform pulse current was used for depositing the coatings on the substrate. The objective of this research is to investigate the microstructural evolution of the coatings in response to the current density, duty cycle and the concentration of reinforcements in the bath. The influence of process parameters were also assessed in terms of the microhardness and specific wear rate. To enhance the surface properties of AZ80 magnesium alloy, a three component layer was successfully applied via electro co-deposition technique for the first time. The magnesium alloy substrates were cleaned and pretreated as per ASTM B480−88. The pretreated samples were coated at three levels of current density viz. 1.5 A/dm2, 2 A/dm2 and 2.5 A/dm2, and the duty cycle was varied between 30%, 40% and 50%. The concentrations of reinforcements in the bath were kept at 0 g/L, 0.5 g/L and 1 g/L. The samples were coated according to Taguchi L9 orthogonal array with two replications. The microstructural studies conducted using scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the defects, grain refinement and homogeneous distribution of reinforcements in the Ni matrix. The deposition and orientation of reinforcements in preferred planes were investigated with XRD. Vickers microhardness tests conducted as per ASTM E384-17 revealed that the sample coated with 2.5 A/dm2current density, 30 % duty cycle, 1 g/L B4C and 0.5 g/L TiC produced the coatings with the highest hardness of 412.56 Hv. The results of the pin on disc wear tests conducted according to ASTM G99 were in agreement with the hardness results and the corresponding microstructure. The sample with the maximum microhardness exhibited the minimum specific wear rate of 2.1 E-08 mm3/Nm. The ability of triangular pulse current waveform to deposit hybrid composite coatings on AZ80 magnesium alloy and enhance its surface properties has been confirmed by the results of this research.

Wear Behavior of a Heat-Treatable Al-3.5Cu-1.5 Mg-1Si Alloy Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

In this study, the wear behavior of a heat-treatable Al-7Si-0.5Mg-0.5Cu alloy fabricated by selective laser melting was investigated systematically. Compared with the commercial homogenized AA2024 alloy, the fine secondary phase of the SLM Al-Cu-Mg-Si alloy leads to a low specific wear rate (1.8 ± 0.11 × 10−4 mm3(Nm)−1) and a low average coefficient of friction (0.40 ± 0.01). After the T6 heat treatment, the SLM Al-Cu-Mg-Si alloy exhibits a lower specific wear rate (1.48 ± 0.02 × 10−4 mm3(Nm)−1), but a similar average coefficient of friction (0.34 ± 0.01) as the heat-treated AA2024 alloy. Altogether, the SLM Al-3.5Cu-1.5 Mg-1Si alloy is suitable for the achievement of not only superior mechanical performance, but also improved tribological properties.

Dry sliding wear performance of AA7075/MoS2 composite materials

This article aims in exploring the dry sliding wear performances on the aluminum (AA7075) metal matrix composites reinforced with molybdenum disulphide which is a solid lubricant using response surface methodology (RSM). Specific Wear Rate (SWR) for the AA7075 pure alloy, AA7075+2wt% molybdenum disulphide and AA7075+4wt% molybdenum disulphide were measured according to ASTM G99 standards in pin-on-disc apparatus. Design of experiments was selected with changed parameters like the varying percentage of molybdenum disulphide (%), applied load (N), and sliding velocity (m/s) based on Central Composite Design in response surface methodology considering them as continuous factors. Experiments for the specific wear rate of pure alloy and the composites were conducted. The volume loss was measured using the pin-on-disc apparatus from which the specific wear rate value was calculated. The obtained results are analyzed and a mathematical model was formulated using the response surface methodology. The optimum level parameters for the specific wear rate has been identified and the results of the experiment specify that the sliding velocity and molybdenum disulphide percentage have a substantial role in controlling the wear behaviour of composites when compared with the other parameter. The optimum condition for the specific wear rate was identified and experimented with for studying the result.

Wear Analysis of an Advanced Al–Al2O3 Composite Infiltrated with a Tin-Based Alloy

In this study, a hybrid material is produced, and the effect of different loads varying from 40 to 60 N against an EN-31 steel counter disk on its wear behavior under dry sliding conditions at room temperature is studied. The tribological behavior is studied via the pin-on-disk method and analyzed using primary wear parameters, such as the coefficient of friction (COF), mass wear, and specific wear rate. The obtained results are compared with the results for B83 babbitt under the same wear test conditions. Microstructural observation with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is performed along with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) for chemical analysis conduction. The results from the wear experiments indicate that the hybrid material possesses a lower COF, mass wear, and specific wear rate as well as a higher wear resistance in comparison to the B83 babbitt specimen when subjected to the same test conditions. The results from the wear experiments indicate that by applying different loads of 40, 50, and 60 N, the hybrid material possesses a lower mass wear, specific wear rate, and COF specifically at a load of 40 N in comparison to the B83 babbitt specimen under the same test conditions. It was also observed that by increasing the load under dry sliding friction, the hybrid material increases its mass wear and specific wear rate.

Tribological Behavior of Mild Steel under Canola Biolubricant Conditions

New lubricants based on vegetable oil were developed in this study. Different blends of canola oil mixed with fully synthetic two stock engine oils were developed (0, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of synthetic oil). The viscosity of the prepared blends was determined at different temperatures (20°C–80°C). Tribological experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of the newly developed oil on the wear characteristics of mild steel material compared with stainless steel when subjected to adhesive wear loading. The weight loss (WL) and the specific wear rate (SWR) of the mild steel using each of the prepared lubricants were determined. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the worn surface of the mild steel. The results revealed that pure canola oil as a lubricant performed competitively against a blend of 80% synthetic and 20% canola oils. The viscosity of the canola oil and its various blends with synthetic oil are controlled by the environmental temperature since an increased temperature reduces the viscosity. Also, the experimental results revealed that operating parameters play the main role in controlling the wear behavior of mild steel since increasing the sliding distances increases the weight loss. The specific wear rate exhibited a steady state after about 5 km sliding distance, and different blends influenced the applied loads and velocity differently. The mixing ratio of canola and syntactic oil was not particularly significant since the pure canola oil exhibited competitive wear performance compared with the blends. However, an intermediate mixing ratio (40%–60% synthetic oil mixed with 60%–40% canola) can produce a slightly low specific wear rate among other things.

EFFECTS OF LASER IRRADIATION ON ADHESIVE TRIBO-PERFORMANCE OF EVA/HDPE/MA-G-PE/OMMT BLENDED POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

Ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and their blends are being used in many engineering applications. In this work, an attempt was made to extend the conventional uses of EVA/HDPE blended polymer nanocomposites by laser treating their surface to automobile, aircraft, and similar industries, where tribological properties played an important role. Effects of laser irradiation on adhesive tribo-performances of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA-g-PE: 2phr) modified ethylene-co-vinyl acetate/high density polyethylene (EVA/HDPE: 70/30 wt. %) organ modified montmorillonite (OMMT: 4phr) blended polymer nanocomposite have been investigated. EVA/HDPE/MA-g-PE/OMMT polymer nanocomposite was irradiated by Ytterbium laser system (YSL-2000) at various scan speeds and power densities. As per ASTM G99 standard, tribo-performance attributes coefficient of friction and specific wear rate were evaluated using pin-on-disc machine against rotating EN31 steel disc of 60 HRC at different loads and speeds. Wear mechanisms of worn surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. It was observed that coefficient of friction and specific wear rate were significantly affected by power density and load, while sliding distance and scan speed have marginal effects.

Towards Analysis and Optimization for Contact Zone Temperature Changes and Specific Wear Rate of Metal Matrix Composite Materials Produced from Recycled Waste

Tribological properties are important to evaluate the in-service conditions of machine elements, especially those which work as tandem parts. Considering their wide range of application areas, metal matrix composites (MMCs) serve as one of the most significant materials equipped with desired mechanical properties such as strength, density, and lightness according to the place of use. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the wear performance of these materials to obtain a longer life and to overcome the possible structural problems which emerge during the production process. In this paper, extensive discussion and evaluation of the tribological performance of newly produced spheroidal graphite cast iron-reinforced (GGG-40) tin bronze (CuSn10) MMCs, including optimization, statistical, graphical, and microstructural analysis for contact zone temperature and specific wear rate, are presented. For this purpose, two levels of production temperature (400 and 450 °C), three levels of pressure (480, 640, and 820 MPa), and seven different samples reinforced by several ingredients (from 0 to 40 wt% GGG-40, pure CuSn10, and GGG-40) were investigated. According to the obtained statistical results, the reinforcement ratio is remarkably more effective on contact zone temperature and specific wear rate than temperature and pressure. A pure CuSn10 sample is the most suitable option for contact zone temperature, while pure GGG-40 seems the most suitable material for specific wear rates according to the optimization results. These results reveal the importance of reinforcement for better mechanical properties and tribological performance in measuring the capability of MMCs.

Wear Life of Bonded MoS2 Film Lubricant

Bonded MoS2 film lubricants are widely used in industry as solid lubricants. It has excellent lubrication properties, but it also has characteristics that require careful consideration. As is well known, its friction and wear are greatly affected by the environmental atmosphere and its wear life depends on the pre-treatment of the substrate. It was found that in many cases the wear life could not be correctly estimated by a specific wear rate and could be explained by the fatigue life, especially under high loading conditions. The atmosphere dependent wear life can also be explained by the fatigue life.