Research

15 pages, 6814 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Effect of Solution Treatment Duration on the Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of a Cold-Deformed-by-Rolling Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta-Sn-Fe Alloy

by Vasile Dănuț Cojocaru, Nicolae Șerban, Elisabeta Mirela Cojocaru, Nicoleta Zărnescu-Ivan and Bogdan Mihai Gălbinașu

Materials 2024, 17(4), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040864 - 13 Feb 2024

Viewed by 653

Abstract

The study presented in this paper is focused on the effect of varying the solution treatment duration on both the microstructural and mechanical properties of a cold-deformed by rolling Ti-30Nb-12Zr-5Ta-2Sn-1.25Fe (wt.%) alloy, referred to as TNZTSF. Cold-crucible induction using the levitation synthesis technique, [...] Read more.

The study presented in this paper is focused on the effect of varying the solution treatment duration on both the microstructural and mechanical properties of a cold-deformed by rolling Ti-30Nb-12Zr-5Ta-2Sn-1.25Fe (wt.%) alloy, referred to as TNZTSF. Cold-crucible induction using the levitation synthesis technique, conducted under an argon-controlled atmosphere, was employed to fabricate the TNZTSF alloy. After synthesis, the alloy underwent cold deformation by rolling, reaching a total deformation degree (total applied thickness reduction) of 60%. Subsequently, a solution treatment was conducted at 850 °C, with varying treatment durations ranging from 2 to 30 min in 2 min increments. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were utilized for the structural analysis, while the mechanical properties were assessed using both tensile and hardness testing. The findings indicate that (i) in both the cold-deformed-by-rolling and solution-treated states, the TNZTSF alloy exhibits a microstructure consisting of a single β-Ti phase; (ii) in the solution-treated state, the microstructure reveals a rise in the average grain size and a decline in the internal average microstrain as the duration of the solution treatment increases; and (iii) owing to the β-phase stability, a favorable mix of elevated strength and considerable ductility properties can be achieved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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15 pages, 5628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Characteristics of High-Performance, Low-Density Metallo–Ceramics Composite

by Vitalijs Abramovskis, Reinis Drunka, Štefan Csáki, František Lukáč, Jakub Veverka, Ksenia Illkova, Pavels Gavrilovs and Andrei Shishkin

Materials 2023, 16(24), 7523; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16247523 - 06 Dec 2023

Viewed by 937

Abstract

By applying the physical vapour deposition method, hollow ceramic microspheres were coated with titanium, and subsequently, they were sintered using the spark plasma sintering technique to create a porous ceramic material that is lightweight and devoid of a matrix. The sintering process was [...] Read more.

By applying the physical vapour deposition method, hollow ceramic microspheres were coated with titanium, and subsequently, they were sintered using the spark plasma sintering technique to create a porous ceramic material that is lightweight and devoid of a matrix. The sintering process was carried out at temperatures ranging from 1050 to 1200 °C, with a holding time of 2 min. The samples were subjected to conventional thermal analyses (differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, dilatometry), oxidation resistance tests, and thermal diffusivity measurements. Phase analysis of the samples was performed using the XRD and the microstructure of the prepared specimens was examined using electron microscopy. The titanium coating on the microspheres increased the compressive strength and density of the resulting ceramic material as the sintering temperature increased. The morphology of the samples was carefully examined, and phase transitions were also identified during the analysis of the samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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13 pages, 9851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructural Inhomogeneity in the Fusion Zone of Laser Welds

by Libo Wang, Xiuquan Ma, Gaoyang Mi, Lei Su and Zhengwu Zhu

Materials 2023, 16(21), 7053; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16217053 - 06 Nov 2023

Viewed by 681

Abstract

This paper investigated evolutions of α-Al sub-grains’ morphology and crystalline orientation in the fusion zone during laser welding of 2A12 aluminum alloys. Based on this, a new method for assessing the weldability of materials was proposed. In laser deep-penetration welding, in addition to [...] Read more.

This paper investigated evolutions of α-Al sub-grains’ morphology and crystalline orientation in the fusion zone during laser welding of 2A12 aluminum alloys. Based on this, a new method for assessing the weldability of materials was proposed. In laser deep-penetration welding, in addition to the conventional columnar and equiaxed dendrites, there also exhibited a corrugated structure with several ‘fine-coarse-fine’ transformations. In such regions, an abnormal α-Al coarsening phenomenon was encountered, with a more dispersed crystalline orientation arrangement and a decreased maximum pole density value. Particularly, structural alterations appeared more frequently in the weld bottom than the top. The above results indicated that the laser-induced keyhole presented a continually fluctuating state. Under such a condition, the solid–liquid transformation exhibited an unstable solidification front, a fluctuant undercooling, and a variational solidification rate. Meanwhile, the welding quality of this material is in a critical state to generate pores. Therefore, the appearance and relevant number of corrugated regions can be considered as a new way for judging the weldability, which will help to narrow the processing window with better welding stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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18 pages, 10436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Method of Stamping the Progression of a Beverage End Rivet of a Thinner Sheet of AW-5182 Alloy

by Mariusz Łucarz and Michał Jędrychowski

Materials 2023, 16(18), 6244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186244 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 791

Abstract

This paper presents a new solution for shaping the rivet progression of a beverage end. The classic method uses three operations to press the cylindrical rivet using 0.208 mm and 0.203 mm thick sheets. The increasing demand for aluminium alloys is prompting measures [...] Read more.

This paper presents a new solution for shaping the rivet progression of a beverage end. The classic method uses three operations to press the cylindrical rivet using 0.208 mm and 0.203 mm thick sheets. The increasing demand for aluminium alloys is prompting measures to make more efficient use of this raw material. One possible solution is to produce packaging from ever thinner sheets. This requires the design of new tooling and the preparation of an appropriate technological process. A method has been developed to stamp a hexagonal-shaped rivet from 0.200 mm thick sheet metal, increasing the number of stamping operations to four. The proposed method was verified through a numerical analysis using the PAM STAMP 2022.0 software package. It was found that for appropriately shaped tools, sheet thicknesses of the stamped component could be achieved that were not less than those for the currently used technology, thus eliminating any possible break in the material structure. Suitable tools and experimental stamping tests were carried out for the developed process. In the simulations, the material Al5182_iso_Xmm was adopted from the programme database, while the experiments were performed on a laboratory press using AW-5182-H48 sheets with a thickness of 0.200 mm. The purpose of the study was to determine the validity for the proposed method of forming the rivet of the beverage end. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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11 pages, 2355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atomistic Study of the Effect of Hydrogen on the Tendency toward Slip Planarity in Bcc Iron

by Yuanyuan Zheng, Gang Zheng, Kaiyu Zhang, Lili Cao, Ping Yu and Lin Zhang

Materials 2023, 16(14), 4991; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16144991 - 14 Jul 2023

Viewed by 929

Abstract

H-enhanced slip planarity is generally explained in terms of H-reducing stacking fault energy in fcc systems. Here, we showed that H-decreasing dislocation line energies can enhance the tendency toward slip planarity in bcc Fe through systematically studying the interaction between H and 1/2 [...] Read more.

H-enhanced slip planarity is generally explained in terms of H-reducing stacking fault energy in fcc systems. Here, we showed that H-decreasing dislocation line energies can enhance the tendency toward slip planarity in bcc Fe through systematically studying the interaction between H and 1/2 <111> {110} dislocations using the EAM potential for Fe-H systems. It was found that the binding energy of H, the excess H in the atmosphere, and the interaction energy of H increased with edge components, leading to larger decrements in the line energies of the edge and increased mixed dislocations than those of a screw dislocation. The consequence of such interaction patterns is an increment in the energy change in the system when the edge and mixed dislocations are converted to screw dislocations as compared to the H-free cases. The cross-slip in bcc Fe is thus suppressed by H, increasing the tendency toward slip planarity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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22 pages, 9132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Heat Treatment Parameters of Austempered Ductile Iron on the Microstructure, Corrosion and Tribological Properties

by Halina Krawiec, Janusz Lelito, Marek Mróz and Magdalena Radoń

Materials 2023, 16(11), 4107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16114107 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 966

Abstract

The influence of heat treatment parameters such as the annealing time and austempering temperature on the microstructure, tribological properties and corrosion resistance of ductile iron have been investigated. It has been revealed that the scratch depth of cast iron samples increases with the [...] Read more.

The influence of heat treatment parameters such as the annealing time and austempering temperature on the microstructure, tribological properties and corrosion resistance of ductile iron have been investigated. It has been revealed that the scratch depth of cast iron samples increases with the extension of the isothermal annealing time (from 30 to 120 min) and the austempering temperature (from 280 °C to 430 °C), while the hardness value decreases. A low value of the scratch depth and a high hardness at low values of the austempering temperature and short isothermal annealing time is related to the presence of martensite. Moreover, the presence of a martensite phase has a beneficial influence on the corrosion resistance of austempered ductile iron. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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14 pages, 1550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermostability of Organobentonite Modified with Poly(acrylic acid)

by Beata Grabowska, Sylwia Cukrowicz, Karolina Kaczmarska, Sylwia Żymankowska-Kumon, Artur Bobrowski, Bożena Tyliszczak and Natalia Maria Mrówka

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103626 - 09 May 2023

Viewed by 1345

Abstract

A new type of organobentonite foundry binder composed of a composite of bentonite (SN) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was analyzed using thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DSC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The temperature range in which the composite retains its binding properties was [...] Read more.

A new type of organobentonite foundry binder composed of a composite of bentonite (SN) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was analyzed using thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DSC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The temperature range in which the composite retains its binding properties was identified using thermal analysis of the composite and its components. Results showed that the thermal decomposition process is complex and involves physicochemical transformations that are mainly reversible at temperatures in the ranges of 20–100 °C (related to evaporation of solvent water) and 100–230 °C (related to intermolecular dehydration). The decomposition of PAA chains occurs between 230 and 300 °C, while complete decomposition of PAA and formation of organic decomposition products takes place at 300–500 °C. Dehydroxylation of montmorillonite (MMT) in bentonite begins at about 500 °C, which leads to a drastic structural transformation. An endothermic effect associated with the remodeling of the mineral structure was observed on the DSC curve in the range of 500–750 °C. The produced SN/PAA composite was found to be thermostable during degradation in both oxidative and inert atmosphere, similar to the starting bentonite, and even maintained over a relatively higher and wider temperature range compared to organic binding materials used. At the given temperatures of 300 °C and 800 °C, only CO₂ emissions occur from all the examined SN/PAA samples. There is no emission of compounds from the BTEX group. This means that the proposed binding material in the form of the MMT-PAA composite will not pose a threat to the environment and the workplace. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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17 pages, 3579 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3D Printed (Binder Jetting) Furan Molding and Core Sands—Thermal Deformation, Mechanical and Technological Properties

by Artur Bobrowski, Karolina Kaczmarska, Dariusz Drożyński, Faustyna Woźniak, Michał Dereń, Beata Grabowska, Sylwia Żymankowska-Kumon and Michał Szucki

Materials 2023, 16(9), 3339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093339 - 24 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1624

Abstract

Casting cores produced in additive manufacturing are more often used in industrial practice, in particular in the case of the production of unit castings and castings with very complex geometry. The growing interest in the technology of 3D printing of cores and molds [...] Read more.

Casting cores produced in additive manufacturing are more often used in industrial practice, in particular in the case of the production of unit castings and castings with very complex geometry. The growing interest in the technology of 3D printing of cores and molds also brings emerging doubts related to their mechanical and technological properties. This article presents a comparison of the properties of cores made of sand with acid-curing furfuryl resin, made with 3D printing technology; the cores were prepared in a conventional way (mixing and compaction). The main purpose of this research was to determine the possibility of using shell cores as a substitute for solid cores, aimed at reducing the amount of binder in the core. The influence of the type of the binder and the size of the grain matrix fraction on the obtained mechanical and technological properties of the cores, with particular emphasis on abrasion and thermal deformation, as well as on the kinetics of their hardening, was demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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29 pages, 25279 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Reclamation of Spent Moulding Sand on Chromite Sand Matrix; Removal of Alkali-Phenolic Binder

by Mariusz Łucarz, Aldona Garbacz-Klempka, Dariusz Drożyński, Mateusz Skrzyński and Krzysztof Kostrzewa

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2919; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072919 - 06 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1331

Abstract

The foundry industry generates large amounts of waste when casting metal into sand moulds. An important issue is the activities that are related to the re-recovery of the grain matrix (the main component of the moulding sand) for realising subsequent technological cycles. This [...] Read more.

The foundry industry generates large amounts of waste when casting metal into sand moulds. An important issue is the activities that are related to the re-recovery of the grain matrix (the main component of the moulding sand) for realising subsequent technological cycles. This process is particularly important in the case of the expensive chromite matrix that is necessary for use in manganese steel casting. The effects of the reclamation treatments of spent alkali-phenolic binder sand were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy with EDS, analysing the chemical composition in micro areas and proving the loss of binder on the surfaces of the matrix grains. Tests were also performed using the main criteria for evaluating a reclaimed organic binder: sieve analysis and ignition loss. A thermogravimetric analysis study was performed to assess the change in the chromite character of the grain matrix under the influence of temperature. The effects of the reclamation measures were verified by making moulding compounds on a matrix of reclaimed sand and a mixture of reclaimed and fresh sand. The tests and analyses that were carried out indicated the direction of an effective method for reclaiming used alkali-phenolic binder masses and the extent of the proportion of the regenerate in moulding sand in order to maintain the relevant technological parameters of the moulding sand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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18 pages, 6651 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Surface Cement Concrete with Reclaimed Asphalt

by Małgorzata Linek, Magdalena Bacharz and Patrycja Piotrowska

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072791 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1100

Abstract

This research concerns the possibility of using reclaimed asphalt pavement as a substitute for conventional aggregate in cement concrete mixtures for roads and airfield applications. The advantages of using reclaimed asphalt pavement as a replacement for natural aggregates are presented. Economic and environmental [...] Read more.

This research concerns the possibility of using reclaimed asphalt pavement as a substitute for conventional aggregate in cement concrete mixtures for roads and airfield applications. The advantages of using reclaimed asphalt pavement as a replacement for natural aggregates are presented. Economic and environmental aspects are indicated, including the reduction in the consumption of natural non-renewable sources of mineral aggregates, as well as reduction in transport costs and emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. The consistency of this recycled material with the idea of sustainable development in the construction industry is emphasized. The test results of the used reclaimed asphalt and the assessment of the effect of its amount on the change in mechanical, physical and strength parameters of cement concrete are presented. It has been shown that the addition of reclaimed concrete reduces selected parameters of cement concrete, but it is possible to use it in structures with less traffic load, taking into account the sustainable development policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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11 pages, 2321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Crystallization Kinetics Analysis of the Binary Amorphous Mg₇₂Zn₂₈ Alloy

by Bartosz Opitek, Beata Gracz, Janusz Lelito, Witold K. Krajewski, Mariusz Łucarz, Piotr Bała, Tomasz Kozieł, Łukasz Gondek and Michał Szucki

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2727; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072727 - 29 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1098

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the crystallization kinetics of the Mg₇₂Zn₂₈ metallic glass alloy. The crystallization kinetics of Mg₇₂Zn₂₈ metallic glass were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The phases formed during [...] Read more.

The aim of the study was to analyze the crystallization kinetics of the Mg₇₂Zn₂₈ metallic glass alloy. The crystallization kinetics of Mg₇₂Zn₂₈ metallic glass were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The phases formed during the crystallization process were identified as α-Mg and complex Mg₁₂Zn₁₃ phases. Activation energies for the glass transition temperature, crystallization onset, and peak were calculated based on the Kissinger model. The activation energy calculated from the Kissinger model was E_g = 176.91, E_x = 124.26, E_p1 = 117.49, and E_p2 = 114.48 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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21 pages, 5388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organobentonite Binder for Binding Sand Grains in Foundry Moulding Sands

by Beata Grabowska, Sylwia Cukrowicz, Artur Bobrowski, Dariusz Drożyński, Sylwia Żymankowska-Kumon, Karolina Kaczmarska, Bożena Tyliszczak and Alena Pribulová

Materials 2023, 16(4), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16041585 - 14 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1323

Abstract

A series of studies related to the production of organobentonite, i.e., bentonite-poly(acrylic acid), and its use as a matrix grain-binding material in casting moulding sand is presented. In addition, a new carbon additive in the form of shungite was introduced into the composition [...] Read more.

A series of studies related to the production of organobentonite, i.e., bentonite-poly(acrylic acid), and its use as a matrix grain-binding material in casting moulding sand is presented. In addition, a new carbon additive in the form of shungite was introduced into the composition of the moulding sand. Selected technological and strength properties of green sand bond with the obtained organobentonite with the addition of shungite as a new lustrous carbon carrier (

R_{c}^{w}

,

R_{m}^{w}

,

P^{w}

,

P^{w}

,

P_{D}

) were determined. The introduction of shungite as a replacement for coal dust in the hydrocarbon resin system demonstrated the achievement of an optimum moulding sand composition for practical use in casting technology. Using chromatographic techniques (Py-GC/MS, GC), the positive effect of shungite on the quantity and quality of the gaseous products generated from the moulding sand during the thermal destruction of its components was noted, thus confirming the reduced environmental footprint of the new carbon additive compared to the commonly used lustrous carbon carriers. The test casting obtained in the mould of the organobentonite moulding sand and the shungite/hydrocarbon resin mixture showed a significantly better accuracy of the stepped model shape reproduction and surface smoothness compared to the casting obtained with the model moulding sand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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12 pages, 2683 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Stability of High-Concentration β-Tricalcium Phosphate Suspension for Biomedical Application

by Kai-Wen Chuang, Yi-Chen Liu, Ramachandran Balaji, Yu-Chieh Chiu, Jiashing Yu and Ying-Chih Liao

Materials 2023, 16(1), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010228 - 27 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1669

Abstract

We propose a novel process to efficiently prepare highly dispersed and stable Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) suspensions. TCP is coupled with a polymer to enhance its brittleness to be used as an artificial hard tissue. A high solid fraction of β-TCP is mixed with [...] Read more.

We propose a novel process to efficiently prepare highly dispersed and stable Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) suspensions. TCP is coupled with a polymer to enhance its brittleness to be used as an artificial hard tissue. A high solid fraction of β-TCP is mixed with the polymer in order to improve the mechanical strength of the prepared material. The high solid fractions led to fast particle aggregation due to Van der Waals forces, and sediments appeared quickly in the suspension. As a result, we used a dispersant, dispex AA4040 (A40), to boost the surface potential and steric hindrance of particles to make a stable suspension. However, the particle size of β-TCP is too large to form a suspension, as the gravity effect is much more dominant than Brownian motion. Hence, β-TCP was subjected to wet ball milling to break the aggregated particles, and particle size was reduced to ~300 nm. Further, to decrease sedimentation velocity, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are added as a thickening agent to increase the overall viscosity of suspension. Besides the viscosity enhancement, CNCs were also wrapped with A40 micelles and increase the stability of the suspension. These CNC/A40 micelles further facilitated stable suspension of β-TCP particles with an average hydration radius of 244.5 nm. Finally, β-TCP bone cement was formulated with the suspension, and the related cytotoxicity was estimated to demonstrate its applicability for hard tissue applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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20 pages, 8401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dry Wear Behaviour of the New ZK60/AlN/SiC Particle Reinforced Composites

by Abdulmuaen Sager, Ismail Esen, Hayrettin Ahlatçi and Yunus Turen

Materials 2022, 15(23), 8582; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238582 - 01 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1292

Abstract

This study deals with the microstructure, mechanical, and wear properties of the extruded ZK60 matrix composites strengthened with 45 µm, 15% silicon carbide particle (SiC) and 760 nm, 0.2–0.5% aluminium nitride (AlN) nanoparticle reinforcements. First, the reinforcement elements of the composites, SiC and [...] Read more.

This study deals with the microstructure, mechanical, and wear properties of the extruded ZK60 matrix composites strengthened with 45 µm, 15% silicon carbide particle (SiC) and 760 nm, 0.2–0.5% aluminium nitride (AlN) nanoparticle reinforcements. First, the reinforcement elements of the composites, SiC and AlN mixtures were prepared in master-magnesium powder, and compacts were formed under 450 MPa pressure and then sintered. Second, the compacted reinforcing elements were placed into the ZK60 alloy matrix at the semi-solid melt temperature, and the melt was mixed by mechanical mixing. After the melts were mixed for 30 min and a homogeneous mixture was formed, the mixtures were poured into metal moulds and composite samples were obtained. After being homogenized for 24 h at 400 °C, the alloys were extruded with a 16:1 deformation ratio at 310 °C and a ram speed of 0.3 mm/s to create final composite samples. After microstructure characterization and hardness analysis, the dry friction behavior of all composite samples was investigated. Depending on the percentage ratios of SIC and AlN reinforcement elements in the matrix, it was seen that the compressive strength and hardness of the composites increased, and the friction coefficient decreased. While the wear rate of the unreinforced ZK60 alloy was 3.89 × 10⁻⁵ g/m, this value decreased by 26.2 percent to 2.87 × 10⁻⁵ g/m in the 0.5% AlN + 15% SiC reinforced ZK 60 alloy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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15 pages, 5050 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparison Study of PVD Coatings: TiN/AlTiN, TiN and TiAlSiN Used in Wood Machining

by Beata Kucharska, Paweł Czarniak, Krzysztof Kulikowski, Agnieszka Krawczyńska, Krzysztof Rożniatowski, Jerzy Kubacki, Karol Szymanowski, Peter Panjan and Jerzy Robert Sobiecki

Materials 2022, 15(20), 7159; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207159 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1680

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the possibilities of the protection of tools for wood machining with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) hard coatings. The nanolayered TiN/AlTiN coating, nanocomposite TiAlSiN coatings, and single layer TiN coating were analyzed in order to use them for protection [...] Read more.

In this paper, we analyze the possibilities of the protection of tools for wood machining with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) hard coatings. The nanolayered TiN/AlTiN coating, nanocomposite TiAlSiN coatings, and single layer TiN coating were analyzed in order to use them for protection of tools for wood machining. Both nanostructured coatings were deposited in an industrial magnetron sputtering system on the cutting blades made of sintered carbide WC-Co, while TiN single layer coating was deposited by evaporation using thermionic arc. In the case of TiN/AlTiN nanolayer coatings the thickness of the individual TiN and AlTiN layer was in the 5–10 nm range, depending on the substrate vertical position. The microstructure and chemical composition of coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) method. Additionally, in the case of the TiN/AlTiN coating, which was characterized by the best durability characteristics, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods were applied. The coatings adhesion to the substrate was analyzed by scratch test method combined with optical microscopy. Nano-hardness and durability tests were performed with uncoated and coated blades using chipboard. The best results durability characteristics were observed for TiN/AlTiN nanolayered coating. Performance tests of knives protected with TiN and TiAlSiN hard coatings did not show significantly better results compared to uncoated ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials – Microstructure, Manufacturing and Analysis)

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