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This work investigated the tribological performance of (Ta/ZrN)n multilayer coatings against ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) material. Three multilayer coatings with different designs were deposited on Ti-6Al-4 V substrate and subjected to wear testing under lubrication of diluted bovine calf serum. The results revealed an improvement in wear resistance of (Ta/ZrN)n multilayer coatings and low coefficient of friction under an applied load of 1 N. High hardness, excellent biotribological properties, and low residual stresses were obtained in the multilayer coating with the thinnest ZrN as the topmost layer of 100 nm. This work demonstrates that Ta/ZrN multilayers can be promising coatings for prosthesis applications.

This work aimed to study the microstructure, wear and corrosion resistance of supermartensitic stainless steel (SMSS). Heat treatment applied to samples consists of quenching after austenitization at elevated temperature (1250 °C) followed by a double tempering at 650 °C. Conventional mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis and X-ray diffraction methods (XRD) are used to analyze the microstructure and to evaluate the wear mechanisms. The potentiodynamic polarisation and the electrochemical impedance spectroscoopy (EIS) methods are used to evaluate the corrosion resistance in both the 0.5M H2SO4 and 0.5M NaCl aggressive media. The microstructure is mainly composed with tempered lath martensite, small quantity of retained austenite and carbides. Oxidative and abrasive wear dominated the wear process in dry condition. During the corrosion process, the same mechanism of degradation was found in both the 0.5M NaCl and 0.5M H2SO4.

Multilayer thin coatings (~3 µm in thickness) were deposited using reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering on Ti-6Al-4 V substrate for biomaterial applications. Films are a combination of hard zirconium nitride with pure tantalum, used to manage interfacial stress and to avoid crack growth. Alternating hard/ductile material is a biomimetic design inspired by nature (nacre-inspired materials). Tribocorrosion tests were performed in Hank’s solution at 37 ◦◦C, under open circuit potential by using a ball-on-disk reciprocating tribometer. A tendency to high resistance against corrosion was found for all the samples. Coatings with a top 100 nm thick ZrN layer showed more noble potential as well as a reduction of both the friction coefficient and the wear rate during the sliding phase. The principal wear mechanism is related to a tribocorrosion layer formation.

We investigated the tribological behavior of commercialized, fully synthetic engine oil upon the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide in seven different concentrations between 0.01 and 0.2 wt %. Stability of the prepared samples was assessed by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering measurements, and their tribological properties through a reciprocating tribometer, using a steel ball on special cut steel blocks. The addition of 0.02 wt % of reduced graphene oxide led to an improvement of the tribological behavior compared to the pristine engine oil, by significantly lowering the friction coefficient by 5% in the boundary lubrication regime. Both the surfaces and the reduced graphene oxide additive were thoroughly characterized by microscopic and optical spectroscopy techniques. We also verified that a protective layer was formed between the worn surfaces, due to the presence of reduced graphene oxide. Carbon accumulation and various additive elements such as Ca, Zn, S and P were detected on the rubbing surfaces of both the ball and the block through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, it was shown that the wear scar diameter on the surface of the steel ball was lower by 3%, upon testing the engine oil sample containing reduced graphene oxide at concentration 0.02 wt %, compared to the control sample.

Wear behavior of 13Cr5Ni2Mo supermartensitic stainless steel (SMSS) were investigated in air and in argillaceous paste at room temperature. Prior to wear testing, the samples were subjected to two thermal treatments, namely; quenching followed by double tempering. A pin-on-disc test rig was used to conduct the wear test with a tribo-pair consisting of supermartensitic stainless steel sliding against itself. It was observed that the microstructure of the thermally treated samples mainly consisted of tempered martensite and carbides. Wear results showed that oxidative and abrasive wear dominated the wear process of the treated samples in both dry conditions and in argillaceous paste. Additionally corrosion tests were performed in 5.0% NaCl solution via potentiodynamic polarization tests. It was found that the passive film formation provides a good corrosion resistance to the samples.

The contact between the cam and follower is considered as one of the most complicated problems from the lubrication point of view. The contact in this elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) problem undergoes extreme variation conditions of different parameters. These include the load variation, geometry at the contact point and sliding speed. This paper presents an EHL solution for the contact problem between cam and chamfered follower (originally flat faced). The model of solution is point contact in order to accurately simulate the chamfering of the follower. The solution of Reynolds equation considers the non- Newtonian oil behavior in the calculation of the flow factors. The interactive design approach used in this paper focused mainly on the effect of chamfer as well as the other general parameters of the mechanism. The results revealed that chamfering of the follower in the axial direction has considerable effects on the performance of the mechanism. The linear modification causes significant rise in the maximum pressure and extreme thinning in the film thickness.

An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) is a system that allows for a continuous (non-discrete) variation (including zero) in transmission ratio between two rotating elements. In this paper, a novel ratcheting-type IVT mechanism is presented and its geometrical design and kinematic analysis are studied in details. The proposed system contains two identical units. Each unit includes a cam with a follower, oscillatory slotted links pivoted at a shaft that can be moved vertically by a hydraulic ram (alterable transmission ratio), and a grooved wheel with an actuating rod. The input rotational motion is converted through each unit to an oscillatory angular motion of controlled amplitude. This resulting motion is rectified using a ratchet to get a unidirectional output rotational motion. Therefore, the system output motion will have a different velocity and acceleration than those of the system input. The kinematic analysis revealed that the transmission ratio can be varied continuously in a range from zero to infinity. The analysis also showed that, for particular transmission ratios, the system gives uniform output (angular velocity and acceleration) for a corresponding uniform input.

Purpose The purpose of this technical paper is to investigate the friction and wear behavior of inexpensive and durable cutting tools, developed for wood machining using duplex treatment. Design/methodology/approach Cr–(WC–Co) coatings were deposited onto carburized low-alloy steel substrate by a reactive magnetron sputtering. The total coating thickness was approximately 2 μm. Unlubricated wear tests have been performed using a disc sample sliding against an alumina ball (Al2O3) and a wood (beech) pin. Findings The paper provides information about the effect of duplex treatment on the surface properties of low-alloy steel against wood and offers practical help for the researchers in coating topic. Originality/value Experimental results showed that sliding wear properties of the selected coatings are strongly dependent on the counter-face material. When tested against alumina balls, the wear mechanisms are oxidative wear followed by a combination of adhesive and abrasive wear, while a combination of an oxidative and adhesive wear was the main wear mechanism observed against a wood pin.