Search

A technique for wear sensing using a sacrificial layer with specific material properties has been developed successfully. This is achieved by recording the temperature evolution underneath the sacrificial organic layer during sliding tests, and by correlating the recorded temperature with a wear depth. Finite element modeling was used to calculate the contact temperature which spreads through the sacrificial layer under different sliding test conditions. Numerical simulation was used to determine the optimal parameters for the best correlation between temperature and wear depth. These parameters were used to select the appropriate sacrificial layer for wear sensing. Thus, an epoxy layer was implemented and experimental measurements were carried out to check the correlation between the measured temperature underneath the epoxy layer and wear depth. It was found that a low thermal conductivity of the sacrificial layer of less than 1 W/m K and a relative high thermal conductivity of the substrate, namely more than 4 W/m K are the optimal parameters for our thermal wear sensing system. The thickness of the sacrificial layer is also a crucial parameter and has to be taken into account when designing such a sensing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanometric magnetite ( nm-FeO) particles were prepared by the reverse co-precipitation synthesis method, obtaining particle sizes that ranged from 4 to 8.5 nm. In their synthesis, the concentration of iron salts of ferric nitrate, Fe(NO)⋅9HO, and ferrous sulfate, FeSO⋅7HO, were varied relative to the chemical reaction volume and by using different surfactants such as oleic acid (OA) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The nm-FeO particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), magnetic and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Typical asymmetrical and/or broad lines shapes appeared in all Mössbauer spectra of the as prepared samples suggesting strong magnetic inter-particle interactions, reducing these interactions to some extent by gentle mechanical grinding. For the smallest particles, maghemite instead of magnetite was the main preparation product as low temperature Mössbauer and magnetic measurements indicated. For the intermediate and largest particles a mixture of magnetite and maghemite phases were produced as the saturation magnetization values of M ∼ 60 emu/g indicated; these values were measured for most samples, independently of the coating surfactant concentration, and according to the ZFC-FC curves the blocking temperatures were 225K and 275K for the smallest and largest magnetite nanoparticles, respectively. The synthesis method was highly reproducible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

80-μm-thick nanostructured coatings consisting of a Ni solid solution, NiSn, NiSn, and metastable NiSn intermetallic phases were deposited via supersonic cold spraying onto inconel 718 alloy substrates. These coatings have complex nanostructured metallurgical phases as revealed by transition electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction techniques. Their mechanical properties were determined by nanoindentation measurements. Furthermore, the wear behavior of these nanostructured sprayed coatings was compared to the one of the industrial bulk or sprayed coated benchmark materials. It was found that the nanostructured coatings exhibit higher wear resistance than the industrial benchmarks, thanks to an appropriate balance of hard intermetallic phases and soft Ni matrix, as well as to their nanostructuring. Their frictional characteristics under reciprocating sliding are mainly determined by the formation of an oxide-based tribo-layer, which was analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The role of intermetallic phases in these coatings on the friction and wear is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed in order to investigate a possibility to obtain Co-W microbumps via electrochemical routes, because this alloy recently has gained attraction as a novel barrier against copper diffusion. In order to be applied in flip-chip technology, barrier layers should be void-free and uniformly deposited on the entire area of a die to ensure high reliability and high performance of wafer bump-solder interface. To meet these requirements, a set of potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrodeposition was carried out from a citrate electrolyte, at pH 5 and at room temperature. The tests done confirm that void-free Co-W bumps with a uniform tungsten content along the bump can be obtained by potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrodeposition. Successful electrodeposition of Cu/Co-W/Sn layers with good adhesion between them and uniformity on the entire array of bumps also was obtained. The XPS data confirm that electrodeposited Co-W layers can act as a good barrier between Sn and Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alumina dispersed FeCuAl-based nanostructured cermet coatings were deposited from nanostructured powders by atmospheric plasma spraying on low carbon steel substrates. Nanostructuring was retained in the deposited coatings which exhibit up to four distinctive phases as revealed by electron microscopy. In this study, the friction behavior of the distinctive phases at nano-normal load scale was investigated alongside their contribution to the overall friction behavior at macro-normal load scale. Friction behavior at nano-normal load scale was investigated by lateral force microscopy, whereas conventional tribometers were used for investigations at micro and macro-normal loads. It appeared that, the friction measured at nano-normal loads on individual phases is dictated by both composition and hardness of the corresponding phases, and thus influences the overall friction behavior of the coatings at macro-normal loads. Moreover, the coefficient of friction at macro-normal loads differs from the one at nano-normal loads, and deviates from Amonton's friction law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time thick (∼8 μm) Cu/Co-W multilayered coatings with individual layers ranging from 5 to 200 nm were electrodeposited from a single bath. The content of tungsten in rich-in Co-W layers was controlled by varying current densities in a citrate-borate bath. Continuous Multi-Cycle (CMC) nanoindentation technique was used to analyze mechanical properties of those deposits. Optical examination of the indented zone revealed the absence of cracks inside and outside the indentation area in the interval of the normal loads used. The hardness of Cu/Co-W multilayers varied with the bi-layer period and the electrodeposition parameters. The Cu/Co-W multilayers showed an increased hardness compared to that of Co-W coatings electrodeposited under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work considers the effect of additives of hardening submicron silicon carbides and heat treatment on the fretting corrosion in NaCl solution of nickel-phosphorus (NiP) coatings produced by electrolytic deposition. Tests are performed at amplitudes 100 and 500 μm. Pitting reveals the abrasive nature of the wear of all of the studied coatings. Introduction of silicon carbides into NiP coatings increases the number of pits in fretting corrosion. The pitting of NiP coatings is distributed regularly over the subsurface and pits are not so numerous. As the loading grows, fretting corrosion intensifies, though the friction coefficient declines in the majority of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studies the effect of reinforcing additives of submicron-size silicon carbide and thermal treatment on fretting wear of nickel-phosphorus (NiP) electroplated coatings. The tests are conducted under a 500-μm shear of the friction contact. The tribotests show that all coatings under study undergo abrasive-oxidative wear. Thermal treatment is found to reduce the friction coefficient and wear rate of the coatings under fretting, whereas the increased content of the SiC additive leads to increased friction coefficient and wear rate. The annealed NiP coatings have a lower wear rate compared to the composite NiP-SiC coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of submicron silicon carbide frictional strengthening admixtures and heat treatment on the wear process of nickel phosphide coatings obtained by electrolytic deposition is studied. Despite the heat treatment and admixtures of silicon carbides, the wear of the coatings is of abrasion-oxidizing nature; in the case of NiP-SiC composite coatings, the oxide films formed during the friction process do not exhibit the shield effect; these films show a considerable effect on the wear of silicon-free NiP coatings. The silicon carbide admixtures increase the hardness of the electrolytic coatings but prevent the oxide films formed in the frictional process from attaching to the contact surface. Annealing of the coating reduces the wear rate. In the process of heat treatment, the crystalline phase NiP is formed in the NiP matrix, increasing the coating hardness. At the same time, in the process of annealing of NiP-SiC composite coatings, the NiP matrix cracks around the silicon carbides. As a result, silicon carbides are extracted in the frictional process and the wear rate of the NiP-SiC composite coating grows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of electron microscopy, EDX analysis, and tribotesting, there is found a correlation between the composition, morphology, and properties of Co-Mo-P alloy coatings deposited at direct current from a citrate electrolyte containing ammonium hypophosphite in a current density range of 1–15 A/dm2, at temperatures of 28 and 60°C, and pH of 4–6. It is shown that the electrolyte pH increase from 4 to 6 leads to a decrease in the phosphorus content and to an increase in the molybdenum concentration in the electrodeposits. A direct correlation between the microhardness and the wear resistance of electrodeposits and the phosphorus content in coatings is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical behaviour of electropolished and anodised aluminium was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Freshly electropolished aluminium behaves as a pure capacitor exhibiting Warburg impedance at low frequencies. Storage of the electropolished aluminium, even in an air-tight bottle, results in the reconstruction of a uniform compact barrier layer. The impedance response of a stored electropolished aluminium as well as anodised aluminium after oxide removal, done by chemical etching, exhibits only a capacitive loop in the complex plane. The effect of the oxide layer thickness on the impedance data was investigated for layers formed during anodising at a cell potential of 15 or 23 V. Impedance measurements carried out over a wide range of frequencies gave useful information on the efficiency of the thinning of the barrier layer at the bottom of porous aluminium oxide layers. The rate of thinning of the barrier layer was estimated for samples anodised at different voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reorientation of as-deposited randomly oriented sulphur-deficient MoSx coatings during fretting wear tests has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscope. The driving force for the reorientation seems to be the plastic deformation induced by the tangential friction force during fretting tests. The evolution from an as-deposited randomly orientation into a basal one occurs above a threshold normal load and fretting frequency. This reorientation results in a lowering of the coefficient of friction as well as in a high resistance to humidity, but unfortunately a high wear rate is noticed. The effect of normal load and fretting frequency on that reorientation process in MoSx coatings is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an investigation on the failure of a large leaded bronze bearing that supports a nine-ton roller of a plastic calendering machine. At the end of the normal service life of a good bearing, which lasted for seven years, a new bearing was installed. However the new one failed catastrophically within a few days, generating a huge amount of metallic wear debris and causing pitting on the surface of the cast iron roller. Following the failure, samples were collected from both good and failed bearings. The samples were analyzed chemically and their microstructures examined. Both samples were subjected to accelerated wear tests in a laboratory type pin-on-disk apparatus. During the tests, the bearing materials acted as pins, which were pressed against a rotating cast iron disk. The wear behaviors of both bearing materials were studied using weight loss measurement. The worn surfaces of samples and the wear debris were examined by light optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive x-ray microanalyzer. It was found that the laboratory pin-on-disk wear data correlated well with the plant experience. It is suggested that the higher lead content (∼18%) of the good bearing compared with 7% lead of the failed bearing helped to establish a protective transfer layer on the worn surface. This transfer layer reduced metal-to-metal contact between the bearing and the roller and resulted in a lower wear rate. The lower lead content of the failed bearing does not allow the establishment of a well-protected transfer layer and leads to rapid wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of the tribological performance of MoS2-based coatings in air of high humidity is critical for the future use of such low-friction and high-wear-resistant coatings in ambient air. Sulfur-deficient MoS x coatings with a basal plane ( x = 1.3) and a random ( x = 1.8) crystallographic orientation were produced by planar magnetron sputtering. The coefficient of friction and the wear loss of MoSx coatings in comparison with TiN and amorphous TiB2 coatings were investigated in bi-directional sliding fretting tests performed in ambient air of different relative humidity. The wear rate expressed as a volumetric loss per unit of dissipated energy was determined. From these results, the best friction and wear performance was achieved with basal-plane-oriented MoS x coatings tested at a relative humidity in the range of 10-50%. A coefficent of friction of 0.06-0.08 and a wear rate of 4 × 103 μm3J-1, at a normal load of 1 N and a fretting frequency of 10 Hz, were recorded for that type of MoS x coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrolytic codeposition of micro- and nano-sized particles with aluminum from a nonaqueous electrolyte is investigated. SiC, SiO2, Al2O3, TiB2 and hexagonal BN particles were codeposited with aluminium from an AlCl3/dimethylsulfone (DMSO2) electrolyte. The effect of particle concentration and current density on the codeposition rate of SiO2 with aluminium was investigated. The codeposition of the various particles with Al from AlCl3:DMSO2 solutions is very high. The amount of codeposited particles is Langmuir dependent on the particle concentration in the electrolyte. In contrast, the effect of the current density on the amount of codeposited SiO2 is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteomics is a modern, rapidly developing branch of biology aimed at the integral study of genome expression as the diversity of proteins. Proteomics is based on a variety of methods allowing one to isolate, detect, identify, and to analyze quantitatively thousands of proteins comprising the cellular proteome. Up to date, high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis is the key proteomic technology; it allows one to analyze simultaneously the protein composition of cells and tissues and to reveal quantitative and qualitative changes in the synthesis of proteins modulating multiple cell functions. The present status of proteomic technologies, i.e., of 2D electrophoresis, with accompanying methods of identification of proteins at the maps obtained, as well as a brief description of organization of human mouse 2D database suggested for global analysis of genome expression in normal and pathological conditions (http:/biobase.dk/cgi-bin/celis) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for the in situ control of the electrolytic codeposition of Ni/SiO2 and Ni/SiC was investigated. An attempt was made to clarify why silica particles hardly codeposit in comparison to silicon carbide particles. It was found that the presence of SiO2 and SiC particles influences the metal deposition process in different ways. SiC particles that are being embedded in the growing metal layer cause an apparent decrease in the electrode surface area, probably due to blocking off a part of the surface by partly engulfed particles. In the case of SiO2 particles, which embed in the metal matrix to a very limited extent, no blocking was observed. It was found that the presence of particles in the solution causes an apparent increase in the electrode surface area, probably due to increased surface roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb 1D122G9) raised against human tropomyosin IEF 52 (HeLa protein catalogue number, Mr=35 kd) has been characterized both in terms of specificity and patterns of immunofluorescence staining in Triton extracted cultured cells. As determined by two dimensional gel immunoblotting of HeLa cell proteins the antibody recognized IEF 52 and two other acidic proteins (IEF 55, Mr=31.8 kd; IEF 56, Mr=31 kd) previously identified as putative tropomyosin-like proteins. Immunofluorescence staining of Triton extracted cultured cells revealed the striated or interrupted pattern on the actin cables characteristic of tropomyosin staining. Quantitation of the three tropomyosins in Triton cytoskeletons from normal and SV 40 transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts showed that the latter contained significantly less of tropomyosin IEF's 52 (52%) and 56 (72%) as compared to their normal counterparts. The ratios of these two tropomyosins to actin however was very similar for both types of cytoskeletons. This was not the case for tropomyosin IEF 55, which was present in nearly twice the amount in the cytoskeletons from the SV 40 transformed cells. The ratio of actin to total tropomyosin for whole cells was found to be unchanged on transformation. This ratio however was 31% lower in the cytoskeletons from the transformed cells. These and other results presented here suggest that changes in the levels of these three tropomyosins are not enough to account for the magnitude of the loss of actin cables observed in the transformed cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete long terminal repeat (LTR) nucleotide sequence of the chimpanzee foamy virus isolate SFV-6 was determined. Its 1761-bp size makes it the longest LTR reported to date among all retroviruses. Since the length of its LTR is similar to that of other simian isolates while its sequence homology is closer to that of HFV, SFV-6 genetic structure appears to be intermediate between simian and human foamy viruses. Transient expression assays demonstrate that SFV-6 encodes a transactivator of viral gene expression directed either by its own LTR or by heterologous promotors like HFV and HIV-1 LTRs. Our data also provide evidence for cross-transactivation between SFV-6 and HFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]