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In recent years, the exponential growth of the machining industry and its needs has driven the development of new manufacturing technologies, more advanced cutting tool types, and new types of coatings to extend tool lifespan. New coating solutions have been studied and implemented for machining tools, which provide a low friction coefficient and lubrication, thus increasing tool lifespan. Following this line of reasoning, it is relevant to develop scientific work aimed at studying the behavior of cutting tools coated with thin films that promote low friction and high lubrication, as is the case with DLC (diamond-like carbon) coatings. These coatings promote good resistance to oxidation and allow high machining speeds, properties also exhibited by TiAlN (titanium aluminum nitride) coatings. In fact, there is a gap in the literature studying the performance of cemented carbide tools provided with multilayered coatings in milling operations of Cu–Be alloys, commonly used in inserts of plastic injection molds. This study's objective was to investigate the effect of a multilayer coating (TiAlN/DLC) on end-milling tools to analyze their cutting performance when milling a Cu–Be alloy known commercially as AMPCOLOY®83. The quality of the machined surface was evaluated, and the wear of the cutting tool was studied. A comparative analysis of milling parameters with respect to their effect on the condition of the surface after machining and the resulting wear on the tools, using coated and uncoated tools and different machining parameters, allowed us to verify a better quality of the machined surface and wear quantified in approximately half when used coated tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the tribological performance of coatings produced by PVD sputtering. Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) coatings doped with carbon (WSC and MoSeC) and nitrogen (WSN and MoSeN) and a conventional diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating are compared. The tribological evaluation was oriented towards the use of coatings on piston rings. Block-on-ring tests in a condition lubricated with an additive-free polyalphaolefin (PAO 8) and at temperatures of 30, 60, and 100 °C were carried out to evaluate the coatings in boundary lubrication conditions. A load scanner test was used to evaluate dry friction and scuffing propensity. In addition to WSN, all other TMD coatings (WSC, MoSeC, and MoSeN) exhibited lower friction than DLC in dry and lubricated conditions. The study reveals that WSC, among TMD coatings, offers promising results, with significantly lower friction levels than DLC, while demonstrating reduced wear and a lower risk of metal adhesion. These findings suggest that WSC may be a viable alternative to DLC in piston rings, with potential benefits for reducing fuel consumption and increasing engine durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies for obtaining deep slots in soft materials can vary significantly. Conventionally, the tool travels along the slot, removing material mainly with the side cutting edges. However, a "plunge milling" strategy is also possible, performing the cut vertically, taking advantage of the tip cutting edges that almost reach the center of the tool. Although both strategies are already commonly used, there is a clear gap in the literature in studies that compare tool wear, surface roughness, and productivity in each case. This paper describes an experimental study comparing the milling of deep slots in AA7050-T7451 aluminum alloy, coated with a novel DLCSiO500W3.5O2 layer to minimize the aluminum adhesion to the tool, using conventional and plunge milling strategies. The main novelty of this paper is to present a broad study regarding different factors involved in machining operations and comparing two distinct strategies using a novel tool coating in the milling of aeronautical aluminum alloy. Tool wear is correlated with the vibrations of the tools in each situation, the cycle time is compared between the cases studied, and the surface roughness of the machined surfaces is analyzed. This study concludes that the cycle time of plunge milling can be about 20% less than that of conventional milling procedures, favoring economic sustainability and modifying the wear observed on the tools. Plunge milling can increase productivity, does not increase tool tip wear, and avoids damaging the side edges of the tool, which can eventually be used for final finishing operations. Therefore, it can be said that the plunge milling strategy improves economic and environmental sustainability as it uses all the cutting edges of the tools in a more balanced way, with less global wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present an unprecedented method based on Kohonen networks that is able to automatically recognize partial discharge (PD) classes from phase-resolved partial discharge (PRPD) diagrams with features of various simultaneous PD patterns. The PRPD diagrams were obtained from the stator windings of a real-world hydro-generator rotating machine. The proposed approach integrates classification probabilities into the Kohonen method, producing self-organizing probability maps (SOPMs). For building SOPMs, a group of PRPD diagrams, each containing a single PD pattern for training the Kohonen networks and single- and multiple-class-featured samples for obtaining final SOPMs, is used to calculate the probabilities of each Kohonen neuron to be associated with the various PD classes considered. At the end of this process, a self-organizing probability map is produced. Probabilities are calculated using distances, obtained in the space of features, between neurons and samples. The so-produced SOPM enables the effective classification of PRPD samples and provides the probability that a given PD sample is associated with a PD class. In this work, amplitude histograms are the features extracted from PRPDs maps. Our results demonstrate an average classification accuracy rate of approximately 90% for test samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of green areas in urbanized cities is crucial to reduce the negative impacts of urbanization. However, these areas can influence the signal quality of IoT devices that use wireless communication, such as LoRa technology. Vegetation attenuates electromagnetic waves, interfering with the data transmission between IoT devices, resulting in the need for signal propagation modeling, which considers the effect of vegetation on its propagation. In this context, this research was conducted at the Federal University of Pará, using measurements in a wooded environment composed of the Pau-Mulato species, typical of the Amazon. Two machine learning-based propagation models, GRNN and MLPNN, were developed to consider the effect of Amazonian trees on propagation, analyzing different factors, such as the transmitter's height relative to the trunk, the beginning of foliage, and the middle of the tree canopy, as well as the LoRa spreading factor (SF) 12, and the co-polarization of the transmitter and receiver antennas. The proposed models demonstrated higher accuracy, achieving values of root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.86 dB and standard deviation (SD) of 3.8614 dB, respectively, compared to existing empirical models like CI, FI, Early ITU-R, COST235, Weissberger, and FITU-R. The significance of this study lies in its potential to boost wireless communications in wooded environments. Furthermore, this research contributes to enhancing more efficient and robust LoRa networks for applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and smart urban infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a conceptual classification scheme to review the literature on improving the oxidation resistance of tungsten carbide by modifying the binder. The first parts of the article are dedicated to the specification of the databases, the search method, and the description of the criteria chosen to classify the articles. Then, the data collected are presented in statistical graphs according to the proposed classification scheme. The data analyzed show that most of the significant improvements in oxidation resistance are achieved with advanced production processes, especially HIP and SPS, which eliminate porosity to a very high degree. In addition, statistical studies showed that the use of new replacement binders, Ni3Al, Fe–based alloys, FeAl, and Al2O3, improved the oxidation properties in 75–100% of cases. Meanwhile, the use of high–entropy alloys (HEAs) as cermet binders may be the subject of future research for oxidation, given the recently published results of good mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of coatings on cutting tools offers several advantages from the point of view of wear resistance. A recent technique with great coating deposition potential is PVD HiPIMS. TiAlN-based coatings have good resistance to oxidation due to the oxide layer that is formed on their surface. However, by adding doping elements such as Vanadium, it is expected that the wear resistance will be improved, as well as its adhesion to the substrate surface. INCONEL® 718 is a nickel superalloy with superior mechanical properties, which makes it a difficult-to-machine material. Milling, due to its flexibility, is the most suitable technique for machining this alloy. Based on this, in this work, the influence of milling parameters, such as cutting speed (Vc), feed per tooth (fz), and cutting length (Lcut), on the surface integrity and wear resistance of TiAlVN-coated tools in the milling of INCONEL® 718 was evaluated. The cutting length has a great influence on the process, with the main wear mechanisms being material adhesion, abrasion, and coating delamination. Furthermore, it was noted that delamination occurred due to low adhesion of the film to the substrate, as well as low resistance to crack propagation. It was also observed that using a higher cutting speed resulted in increased wear. Moreover, in general, by increasing the milling parameters, machined surface roughness also increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite lubricating system that combines solid and liquid lubrication can create a synergistic effect by leveraging the strengths of both types of lubricants. Solid lubrication coatings possess advantageous load-bearing abilities and exhibit low volatility. By adopting this approach, the system retains the merits of solid lubrication while simultaneously harnessing the advantages of liquid lubrication. The unique properties of diamond-like carbon coatings (DLCs) offer the potential to create binding locations for lubricant additives by introducing dopant elements that have a high affinity with additives. In the present work, the combined use of europium-doped diamond-like carbon (Eu-doped DLC) with varying atomic concentrations of the dopant element (1.7 at. % and 2.4 at. %) and gadolinium-doped diamond-like carbon (Gd-doped DLC) with different atomic concentrations of the dopant element (1.7 at. % and 2.3 at. %) was studied alongside a pure DLC coating and the incorporation of an ionic liquid (IL) additive in a tribological block-on-ring system. The focus was on the 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ionic liquid with a concentration of 1 wt. % in polyalphaolefin (PAO) 8. Among the investigated pairs, the coefficient of friction (CoF) of 1.7 at. % Eu-doped DLC coupled with the IL was the smallest in boundary, mixed, and elastohydrodynamic lubrication regimes. Quantification of wear was challenging due to minimal and localized wear on the DLC coating surfaces. The decrease in friction within the boundary lubrication regime underscores the promise of mechanical systems that integrate 1.7 atomic percent Europium-doped diamond-like carbon coatings with ionic liquids (IL). This study presents a compelling avenue for future scholarly exploration and research efforts focused on reducing friction and improving the efficiency of moving components, particularly in situations where tribological properties exert a substantial influence [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, TiN-Ni nanostructured composite films with different Ni contents are prepared using the magnetron sputtering method. The composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of composite films are analyzed using an X-ray energy spectrometer (EDS), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction technology (XRD), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and nanoindentation. All the films grow in a columnar crystal structure. There are only TiN diffraction peaks in the XRD spectrum, and no diffraction peaks of Ni and its compounds are observed. The addition of the Ni element disrupts the integrity of TiN lattice growth, resulting in a decrease in the grain size from 60 nm in TiN to 25 nm at 20.6% Ni. The film with a Ni content of 12.4 at.% forms a nanocomposite structure in which the nanocrystalline TiN phase (nc-TiN) is surrounded by the amorphous Ni (a-Ni) phase. The formation of nc-TiN/a-Ni nanocomposite structures relies on the good wettability of Ni on TiN ceramics. The hardness and elastic modulus of the film gradually decrease with the increase in Ni content, but the toughness is improved. The hardness and elastic modulus decrease from 19.9 GPa and 239.5 GPa for TiN film to 15.4 GPa and 223 GPa at 20.6 at.% Ni film, respectively, while the fracture toughness increases from 1.5 MPa·m1/2 to 2.0 MPa·m1/2. The soft and ductile Ni phase enriched at the TiN grain boundaries hinders the propagation of cracks in the TiN phase, resulting in a significant increase in the film's toughness. The research results of this paper provide support for the design of TiN-Ni films with high strength and toughness and the understanding of the formation mechanism of nanocomposite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mg AZ80/91 alloys are highly popular due to their lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and good machinability. However, their moderate mechanical properties and corrosion resistance have limited their use in the automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors. This study primarily aims to enhance the mechanical performance and corrosion resistance of Mg AZ80/91 alloys, making them more suitable for applications in the aerospace and automotive industries. Firstly, equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) of Mg AZ80/91 alloys has been attempted to improve their mechanical properties. Secondly, a high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) coating of SS316 was applied over the Mg AZ80/91 substrate to enhance its corrosion resistance. In the second step, an HVOF coating of SS316 is applied over the Mg AZ80/91 substrate for better corrosion resistance. The experimental findings demonstrate that the application of an SS316 coating on the ECAP-4P AZ80/91 Mg alloy substrate results in a uniform and dense layer with an average thickness of approximately 80 ± 5 µm. The HVOF-based SS316 coating on 4P-ECAP leads to a noteworthy enhancement in microhardness and a reduction in the corrosion rate, especially in a NaCl solution (3.5 wt.%). This improvement holds great promise for producing reliable, long-lasting, and resilient automotive, aerospace, and defense components. The application of an HVOF-based SS316 coating onto the AZ80 Mg alloy, which had not undergone ECAP treatment, led to a substantial enhancement in corrosion resistance. This resulted in a notable decrease in the corrosion current density, reducing it from 0.297 mA/cm2 to 0.10 µA/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moreover, this study also extends the analysis to non-conventional machining processes, allowing a wider perspective of the difficulties and current solutions in machining some hard-to-cut metallic alloys. These alloys, having different machining characteristics from INCONEL alloys, are also classified as difficult to machine, and have a high number of applications where machining is required. 10.3390/met12071205 18 Rodrigues A., Silva F.J.G., Sousa V.F.C., Pinto A.G., Ferreira L.P., Pereira T. Using an Artificial Neural Network Approach to Predict Machining Time. 10.3390/met13050934 14 Sousa V.F.C., Silva F.J.G., Alexandre R., Pinto G., Baptista A., Fecheira J.S. Investigations on the Wear Performance of Coated Toolsin Machining UNS S32101 Duplex Stainless Steels. [Extracted from the article]

Metal foams and alloy foams are a novel class of engineering materials and have numerous applications because of their properties such as high energy absorption, light weight and high compressive strength. In the present study, the methodology adopted to develop a Ni-Cr alloy foam is discussed. Polyurethane (PU) foam of 40PPI (parts per inch) pore density was used as the precursor and coating techniques such as electroless nickel plating (ELN), ultrasonic-assisted electroplating of nickel (UAEPN), and pack cementation or chromizing were used to develop the Ni-Cr alloy foam. The surface morphology, strut thickness and minimum weight gain after each coating stage were evaluated. It was observed from the results that the adopted coating techniques did not damage the original ligament cross-section of the PU precursor. The minimum weight gain and the coating thickness after the UAEPN process were observed to be 42 g and 40–60 μm, respectively. The properties such as porosity percentage, permeability and compressive strength were evaluated. Finally, the pressure drop through the developed foam was estimated and verified to determine whether the developed foam can be used for filtering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are widely used in industries that require high durability and wear resistance, and low friction. The unique characteristics of DLC coatings allow for the possibility of creating adsorption sites for lubricant additives through the doping process. In this study, the combined use of europium-doped diamond-like carbon (Eu-DLC), gadolinium-doped diamond-like carbon (Gd-DLC), and pure DLC coatings and an ionic liquid (IL) additive, namely, trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate [ P 66614 ] [DEHP], with a 1 wt.% concentration in polyalphaolefin (PAO) 8 as a base lubricant was investigated. Higher hardness, higher thin-film adhesion, a higher ratio of hardness to elastic modulus, and a higher plastic deformation resistance factor were achieved with the Gd-DLC coating. The CoF of the Gd-DLC coating paired with the IL was superior compared to the other pairs in all lubrication regimes, and the pure DLC coating had a better performance than the Eu-DLC coating. The wear could not be quantified due to the low wear on the surface of the DLC coatings. The friction reduction demonstrates that tribological systems combining Gd-DLC thin films with an IL can be a potential candidate for future research and development efforts to reduce friction and increase the efficiency of moving parts in internal combustion engines, for instance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscale abrasion has been intensively used to study the wear behavior o several hard coatings, enabling the observation of different wear mechanisms. Recently, a study arguing whether the surface texture of the ball could influence the dynamics of abrasive particles throughout the contact was presented. In this work, the influence of the abrasive particles concentration able to change the texture of the ball was studied to understand its influence on the wear modes—rolling or grooving. Thus, tests were carried out using samples with a thin coating of TiN, deposited using the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique, and AISI 52100 steel balls etched over 60 s to induce a change in their texture and roughness were used. Three abrasive slurries were prepared with black silicon carbide (SiC) particles (average particle size of 4 μm) with different concentrations, 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 g/cm3. The rotation speed used in the tests was 80 rpm and the normal loads applied in the study were 0.2 N and 0.5 N, and 1 N. After the wear tests, the coated samples and tracks on the surface of the balls were observed by SEM and 3D microscopy to understand the abrasive particle dynamics, evaluating the wear mode transition as well as the function of both applied load and slurry concentration. The tracks in the balls showed particles embedded on their surface. A lower concentration of abrasion was conducted to higher specific wear rate. Moreover, a predominant two-body wear mechanism was induced when the abrasive concentration was increased. There was an increase in the roughness of the scar and the surface of the balls with an increase in the abrasive particles' concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to Inconel 718's high mechanical properties, even at higher temperatures, tendency to work-harden, and low thermal conductivity, this alloy is considered hard to machine. The machining of this alloy causes high amounts of tool wear, leading to its premature failure. There seems to be a gap in the literature, particularly regarding milling and finishing operations applied to Inconel 718 parts. In the present study, the wear behavior of multilayered PVD HiPIMS (High-power impulse magnetron sputtering)-coated TiN/TiAlN end-mills used for finishing operations on Inconel 718 is evaluated, aiming to establish/expand the understanding of the wear behavior of coated tools when machining these alloys. Different machining parameters, such as cutting speed, cutting length, and feed per tooth, are tested, evaluating the influence of these parameters' variations on tool wear. The sustained wear was evaluated using SEM (Scanning electron microscope) analysis, characterizing the tools' wear and identifying the predominant wear mechanisms. The machined surface was also evaluated after each machining test, establishing a relationship between the tools' wear and production quality. It was noticed that the feed rate parameter exerted the most influence on the tools' production quality, while the cutting speed mostly impacted the tools' wear. The main wear mechanisms identified were abrasion, material adhesion, cratering, and adhesive wear. The findings of this study might prove useful for future research conducted on this topic, either optimization studies or studies on the simulation of the milling of Inconel alloys, such as the one presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and methodologies for problem solving are emerging as formal tools essential to assist in nursing care. Given their potential to improve workflows and to guide decision making, several studies have been developed; however, little is known about their impact, particularly on decision making. Objective: The aim of this study was to map the existing research on the use of AI in decision making in nursing. With this review protocol, we aimed to map the existing research on the use of AI in nursing decision making. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The search strategy was tailored to each database/repository to identify relevant studies. The contained articles were the targets of the data extraction, which was conducted by two independent researchers. In the event of discrepancies, a third researcher was consulted. Results: This review included quantitative, qualitative and mixed method studies. Primary studies, systematic reviews, dissertations, opinion texts and gray literature were considered according to the three steps that the JBI has defined for scoping reviews. Conclusions: This scoping review synthesized knowledge that could help advance new scientific developments and find significant and valuable outcomes for patients, caregivers and leaders in decision making. This review was also intended to encourage the development of research lines that may be useful for the development of AI tools for decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrasive wear is a wear mechanism that results in a loss of material from the interaction of a surface with hard particles. This type of wear is frequently found in the surface of machining tools. Microscale abrasion equipment is often used to characterize the resistance to abrasive wear of a surface. The different parameters able to control micro-abrasion wear tests, such as ball rotation, sliding distance between ball and surface sample, abrasive slurry concentration, normal load acting on the sample, and abrasive flow rate over the sample, have been widely studied. The combination of different variables, including sliding distance, concentration of abrasive particles, their hardness, and size of abrasive particles, promotes the transition between two-body, three-body, or mixed abrasive wear modes. However, the influence of the ball surface on the dragging of abrasive particles, which is reflected in the wear modes, is still poorly studied. One of the variables possible to control and less studied is the influence of the ball surface texture on the dragging of abrasive particles in micro-abrasion wear tests. This work intends to correlate the effect of different testing times (500, 1000, and 1500 cycles) and different concentrations of 3 μm Al2O3 abrasive slurry (25, 35, and 45 g/100 mL) on the micro abrasion resistance of a TiN thin coating film, using balls of AISI 52100 steel whose texture and roughness were prepared by 60 s chemical etching. The rotation speed of each test was 80 rpm, applying a normal load of 2 N. Subsequently, the craters were carefully analyzed using SEM to evaluate the transition of the wear mode as a function of the applied load, the abrasive particle concentration, and the sliding distance. The textured ball tracks were observed via SEM to assess the particle dynamics. The results showed that, contrarily to what is reported in the literature regarding wear modes where rolling is promoted with increasing abrasive concentration, in this work grooving took place instead. This is a result of the rough balls use in the experiments which, due to the embedment of abrasive particles in the ball grooves, promotes the abrasion mechanism. The higher the abrasive concentration, the higher the grooving mechanism, since more particles are available to scratch the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond-like-carbon "DLC" coatings can be deposited in many different ways, giving a large range of material properties suitable for many different types of applications. Hydrogen content significantly influences the mechanical properties and the tribological behavior of DLC coatings, but its determination requires techniques that are not available in many research centers. Thus, it is important to find alternative indirect techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy or nanoindentation (hardness measurements), which can give comparative and indicative values of the H contents in the coatings, particularly when depositions with a reactive gas flow are being studied. In this work, "DLC" composite coatings with varying H content were deposited via Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) magnetron sputtering in a reactive atmosphere (Ar + CH4). An Ion Beam Analysis was used to determine the elemental depth profile across the coating thickness (giving both average C:W:H ratios and film density when combined with profilometer measurements of film thickness). The hardness was evaluated with nanoindentation, and a decrease from 16 to 6 GPa (and a decrease in the film density by a factor of two) with an increasing CH4 flow was observed. Then, the hardness and Raman results were correlated with the H content in the coatings, showing that these indirect methods can be used to find if there are variations in the H content with the increase in the CH4 flow. Finally, the adhesion and tribological performance of the coatings were evaluated. No significant differences were found in the adhesion as a function of the H content. The tribological properties presented a slight improving trend with the increase in the H content with a decrease in the wear rate and friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing is defined as a process based on the superposition of layers of materials in order to obtain 3D parts; however, the process does not allow achieve the adequate and necessary surface finishing. In addition, with the development of new materials with superior properties, some of them acquire high hardness and strength, consequently decreasing their ability to be machined. To overcome this shortcoming, a new technology assembling additive and subtractive processes, was developed and implemented. In this process, the additive methods are integrated into a single machine with subtractive processes, often called hybrid manufacturing. The additive manufacturing process is used to produce the part with high efficiency and flexibility, whilst machining is then triggered to give a good surface finishing and dimensional accuracy. With this, and without the need to transport the part from one machine to another, the manufacturing time of the part is reduced, as well as the production costs, since the waste of material is minimized, with the additive–subtractive integration. This work aimed to carry out an extensive literature review regarding additive manufacturing methods, such as binder blasting, directed energy deposition, material extrusion, material jetting, powder bed fusion, sheet laminating and vat polymerization, as well as machining processes, studying the additive-subtractive integration, in order to analyze recent developments in this area, the techniques used, and the results obtained. To perform this review, ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar were used as the main source of information because they are powerful search engines in science information. Specialized books have been also used, as well as several websites. The main keywords used in searching information were: "CNC machining", "hybrid machining", "hybrid manufacturing", "additive manufacturing", "high-speed machining" and "post-processing". The conjunction of these keywords was crucial to filter the huge information currently available about additive manufacturing. The search was mainly focused on publications of the current century. The work intends to provide structured information on the research carried out about each one of the two considered processes (additive manufacturing and machining), and on how these developments can be taken into consideration in studies about hybrid machining, helping researchers to increase their knowledge in this field in a faster way. An outlook about the integration of these processes is also performed. Additionally, a SWOT analysis is also provided for additive manufacturing, machining and hybrid manufacturing processes, observing the aspects inherent to these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the investigation of the tribological performance of DC magnetron sputtered W-S-N coatings under vacuum atmosphere, as part of the exploration of multi-environment sliding properties of W-S-N solid lubricants. This study is part of the systematic testing of W-S-N solid lubricants in different environments, especially vacuum, which is often ignored. The trend is to test sliding properties in dry N2 by considering it as replacement of vacuum environment testing. This approach is not appropriate. In this work, a set of coatings was synthesized with N-alloying content in the range of 0–25.5 at.%. A maximum S/W ratio of 1.47 was observed for the pure WSx coating. A maximum hardness of 8.0 GPa was observed for 23 at.% of N-alloying. The coating with the lowest N content (14.6 at.%) displayed the lowest friction, specific wear rate and wear scar depth under vacuum conditions. Despite superior sliding performance at room temperature (35% humidity), 200 °C and dry nitrogen conditions, the performance of the WSN12.5 coating deteriorated vacuum environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alloyed-transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) coatings have been under investigation as multi-environment lubricants for the past few decades. These coatings display very low coefficient of friction properties at elevated temperatures. Studies on the annealing of these low-friction coatings are missing in the literature. For the first time, in this study, the annealing of the W-S-N dry lubricant coatings was carried out to study its effects on the composition, morphology, crystal structure and hardness of the coatings. The W-S-N coatings were deposited by direct current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering. The analysis was carried out for as-deposited, 200 °C and 400 °C annealed coatings. The as-deposited coatings have N content in the range of 0–25.5 at. %. The coatings are compact and the densification increased with the increase in N-alloying. All the coatings are crystalline except the highest N-alloyed coating which is X-ray amorphous. A maximum hardness of 8.0 GPa was measured for the coating alloyed with 23 at. % N. Annealing did not affect the composition and morphology of the coatings, while some variations were observed in their crystal structure and hardness. The maximum hardness increased from 8 GPa to 9.2 GPa after 400 °C annealing of the 23 at. % N-alloyed coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies are continuously being carried out in pursuit of formulations with higher performance. Problems such as poor drug solubility, which hinders drug incorporation into delivery systems and bioavailability, or limitations concerning the stability and performance of the formulations may cause difficulties, since solving all these drawbacks at once is a huge challenge. Ionic liquids (ILs), due to their tunable nature, may hypothetically be synthesized for a particular application. Therefore, predicting the impact of a particular combination of ions within an IL in drug delivery could be a useful strategy. Eight ILs, two choline amino acid ILs, two imidazole halogenated ILs, and four imidazole amino acid ILs, were prepared. Their applicability at non-toxic concentrations, for improving solubility and the incorporation of the poorly soluble, ferulic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acids, as well as rutin, into topical emulsions, was assessed. Next, the impact of the ILs on the performance of the formulations was investigated. Our study showed that choosing the appropriate IL leads to a clear upgrade of a topical emulsion, by optimizing multiple features of its performance, such as improving the delivery of poorly soluble drugs, altering the viscosity, which may lead to better sensorial features, and increasing the stability over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biggest obstacle to the treatment of diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS) is the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a physical barrier that regulates the entry of substances into the brain and ensures the homeostasis of the CNS. This review summarizes current research on lipid-based nanoparticles for the nanoencapsulation of neuroprotective compounds. A survey of studies on nanoemulsions (NEs), nanoliposomes/nanophytosomes and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)/nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) was carried out and is discussed herein, with particular emphasis upon their unique characteristics, the most important parameters influencing the formulation of each one, and examples of neuroprotective compounds/extracts nanoencapsulated using these nanoparticles. Gastrointestinal absorption is also discussed, as it may pose some obstacles for the absorption of free and nanoencapsulated neuroprotective compounds into the bloodstream, consequently hampering drug concentration in the brain. The transport mechanisms through which compounds or nanoparticles may cross BBB into the brain parenchyma, and the potential to increase drug bioavailability, are also discussed. Additionally, factors contributing to BBB disruption and neurodegeneration are described. Finally, the advantages of, and obstacles to, conventional and unconventional routes of administration to deliver nanoencapsulated neuroprotective drugs to the brain are also discussed, taking into account the avoidance of first-pass metabolism, onset of action, ability to bypass the BBB and concentration of the drug in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we compare the tribological performance of a multilayer TiSiN/Ti(Ag)N coating with a TiSiN/TiN coating with a similar Si content in order to demonstrate the effect of the solid lubricant phase, silver. For Al2O3 balls, the hardness and reduced modulus determine the tribological performance of the coatings for tests conducted at room temperature (RT) against Al2O3 balls. At 550 °C, the TiSiN/TiN coating failed, whereas the Ag-containing coating performed better due to the presence of Ag in the contact, which decreased the shear stress and, consequently, the friction. For tests against TiAl6V4 balls, the Ag-containing coating was always better than the TiSiN/TiN one. At 550 °C, Ag in the wear track prevented the adhesion of the oxidized Ti-alloy wear debris in the contact, favoring the adhesion of wear debris from the coating to both the coating and counterpart surfaces. No wear could be measured for the 700 °C tests for both coatings due to different reasons: (i) the presence of oxidized adhered material from the ball to the reference TiSiN/TiN coating surface protected from wear and (ii) the presence of Ag-agglomerated particles decreased the friction and minimized the adhesion wear of the counterpart for the TiSiN/TiN(Ag) coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-based coatings are used in many applications, particularly in sliding contacts to reduce friction and wear. To improve the tribological properties, these coatings are usually alloyed with metals; W is one of the most used since it helps improve the tribological performance at high temperatures. In this work, we compared the tribological performance of Diamond-Like Carbon alloyed with tungsten (DLC-W) films deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) with films deposited in a hybrid configuration DCMS + high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). The DLC-W coatings were produced with approximately the same W content. One hydrogenated film was deposited with the hybrid configuration for comparison purposes. Microstructure, structure, mechanical properties, and tribological behaviour were used to compare the coatings. All the films displayed a low-order structure of tungsten carbide embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. The use of the hybrid HiPIMS/DCMS results in coatings with more compact morphologies due to the high ionization fraction of the species produced on the W target (W and Ar ionized species), which primarily will oppose the shadowing effect as the ions will reach the substrate at angles close to 90°. HiPIMS non-hydrogenated film is the more tribological, performing either at room or high temperature (150 °C) due to the much more compact morphology, which avoids the detachment of hard W-C particles, which are responsible for more efficiently scratching the film surface. Experiments revealed that wear behaviour in all the films is governed by the contact of the tribolayer formed on the counterpart composed of W–C, C and W–O against the surface of the film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]