L.A. Rocha

Microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocomposite (Ti, Si, Al)N coatings

c ˆ´ ˜ ITN, Departamento de Fisica, E.N. 10, 2686-953 Sacavem, Portugal d ´´ Abstract In this work (Ti,Si,Al)N films were deposited using only rf or a combination of rf and d.c. reactive magnetron sputtering. Chemical composition, thickness, film structure and mechanical properties of the films were investigated by means of Rutherford backscattering (RBS), electron microprobe analysis (EPMA), ball-cratering, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultramicroindentation, respectively. All samples showed high hardness values, exceeding, in some cases, 50 GPa. XRD results revealed the formation of a mixture of two phases whose structure is similar to TiN. One phase is noted as being TiN bulk with a lattice parameter of 0.428 nm and develops only in conditions of high surface mobility. This behaviour can be associated with the segregation of the SiN phase, though the formation of an amorphous AlN phase cannot be excluded. Another phase, which is noted as Ti-Si-Al-N x

Do oral biofilms influence the wear and corrosion behavior of titanium

The main aim of this work was to study the simultaneous wear-corrosion of titanium (Ti) in the presence of biofilms composed of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Both organisms were separately grown in specific growth media, and then mixed in a medium supplemented with a high sucrose concentration. Corrosion and tribocorrosion tests were performed after 48 h and 216 h of biofilm growth. Electrochemical corrosion tests indicated a decrease in the corrosion resistance of Ti in the presence of the biofilms although the TiO2 film presented the characteristics of a compact oxide film. While the open circuit potential of Ti indicated a tendency to corrosion in the presence of the biofilms, tribocorrosion tests revealed a low friction on biofilm covered Ti. The properties of the biofilms were similar to those of the lubricant agents used to decrease the wear rate of materials. However, the pH-lowering promoted by microbial species, can lead to corrosion of Ti-based oral rehabilitation systems.

X-ray tomographic imaging of Al/SiCp functionally graded composites fabricated by centrifugal casting

Abstract The present work refers to an X-ray microtomography experiment aiming at the elucidation of some aspects regarding particle distribution in SiC-particle-reinforced functionally graded aluminium composites. Precursor composites were produced by rheocasting. These were then molten and centrifugally cast to obtain the functionally graded composites. From these, cylindrical samples, around 1 mm in diameter, were extracted, which were then irradiated with a X-ray beam produced at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The 3-D images were obtained in edge-detection mode. A segmentation procedure has been adapted in order to separate the pores and SiC particles from the Al matrix. Preliminary results on the particle and pore distributions are presented.

Tribocorrosion Studies in Centrifugally Cast Al-Matrix SiCp-reinforced Functionally Graded Composites

The present work reports results obtained from a series of preliminary experiments aiming at complementing the current knowledge about the wear behaviour of centrifugally-cast FGM Al/SiCp composites, through concurrent corrosion processes. Precursor MMCs were prepared by rheocasting, using 118.8 µm SiC particles and an Al-10Si-2.2 Mg alloy. Those MMCs were then molten and centrifugally cast in order to produce cylindrical FGMMCs. Discs machined from the top surface of each sample were tested against nodular cast iron pins, using an inverted configuration pin-on-disc tribometer. Sliding tests took place at room temperature, over a 50000 m sliding distance, with a sliding speed of 0.3 m s -1 , under a 5 N normal load; both dry-sliding and water-lubricated tests were performed. In order to elucidate the mechanisms involved, the wear coefficients were calculated for each condition, and the samples were subjected to morphological characterization via SEM/EDS. Concurrently, in the case of the water-lubrication tests, the corrosion potential of the tribological pair was monitored. The results obtained show an increase in material loss for the water-lubricated cases, although variations are registered depending on reinforcing particle volume fraction. At the same time, the open circuit potential response of the tribological pair may be correlated with the events of formation/destruction of the tribolayers.

Al/SiCp Functionally Graded Metal-Matrix Composites Produced by Centrifugal Casting: Effect of Particle Grain Size on Reinforcement Distribution

Functionally graded materials (FGM’s), particularly in the form of Al-Si metal matrix composites (MMC’s) selectively reinforced at the surface with SiC particles, are advanced materials, combining high wear resistance with high bulk toughness or even a thermal barrier at the surface. Centrifugal casting is one of the most effective methods for processing this type of MMC, but accurate control of the ceramic particles distribution/gradient in the metallic matrix has not yet been completely attained. In this work, precursor Al/SiC composites were prepared by rheocasting, using SiC particles and an Al-10Si–2.2 Mg alloy. Morphology of the SiC particles was previously characterized by laser interpherometry and SEM. Differing grain sizes were selected as reinforcing elements. The MMC’s were then molten and centrifugally cast in order to produce the FGM composites, whose structure and properties were investigated by XRD, quantitative image analysis of optical micrographs and longitudinal hardness profiles. Therefore, it was possible to evaluate the influence of the particle grain size on the structure and properties of the FGM. Apart from the evaluation of the effects of particle grain size per se, its influence when combined with differing casting conditions are reported as well.

Effects of chemical composition on the corrosion of dental alloys

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the oral environment on the corrosion of dental alloys with different compositions, using electrochemical methods. The corrosion rates were obtained from the current-potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The effect of artificial saliva on the corrosion of dental alloys was dependent on alloy composition. Dissolution of the ions occurred in all tested dental alloys and the results were strongly dependent on the general alloy composition. Regarding the alloys containing nickel, the Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Ti alloys released 0.62 mg/L of Ni on average, while the Co-Cr dental alloy released ions between 0.01 and 0.03 mg/L of Co and Cr, respectively.The open-circuit potential stabilized at a higher level with lower deviation (standard deviation: Ni-Cr-6Ti = 32 mV/SCE and Co-Cr = 54 mV/SCE). The potenciodynamic curves of the dental alloys showed that the Ni-based dental alloy with >70 wt% of Ni had a similar curve and the Co-Cr dental alloy showed a low current density and hence a high resistance to corrosion compared with the Ni-based dental alloys. Some changes in microstructure were observed and this fact influenced the corrosion behavior for the alloys. The lower corrosion resistance also led to greater release of nickel ions to the medium. The quantity of Co ions released from the Co-Cr-Mo alloy was relatively small in the solutions. In addition, the quantity of Cr ions released into the artificial saliva from the Co-Cr alloy was lower than Cr release from the Ni-based dental alloys.

Characterization of organic-inorganic hybrid coatings for corrosion protection of galvanized steel and electroplated ZnFe steel

Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) / Brasil; Conselho Nacional de desenvolvimento cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) / Brasil; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) / Portugal

Corrosion behaviour of aluminium syntactic functionally graded composites

Syntactic Functionally Graded Metal Matrix Composites (SFGMMC) are a type of composites reinforced by microballoons exhibiting a graded reinforcement distribution. These materials constitute a promising new generation of lightweight structural materials for aerospace, marine and shielding/insulation applications. In this work, A356 alloy reinforced with silica-alumina microballoons (SiO2-Al2O3) was processed by casting techniques. The influence of the microballoon distribution gradient on the corrosion behaviour of the composite was investigated by potentiodynamic polarisation and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Composite surfaces were analysed before and after testing by Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine the influence of microstructural changes.

Electrochemical behavior of Ti/Al2O3 interfaces produced by diffusion bonding

In the field of biomedical applications a special interest exists regarding the study of the physicochemical and mechanical behaviour of materials, with special focus on the electrochemical degradation of metal/ceramic interfaces. In fact, metal/ceramic interfaces may be present in several biomedical devices, ranging from external or implantable sensors, to dental implants. Diffusion bonding represents an important technique since, in opposition to other production technologies, such as active metal brazing, avoid the possible liberation of certain chemical components harmful to health. The aim of this work is to study the electrochemical degradation of the interface formed between commercially pure Ti and Al2O3 produced by diffusion bonding, in contact with a physiological solution. The present approach included the evaluation of the contribution of individual and pairs of interfacial layers on the global degradation processes. For this propose d.c. electrochemical techniques were used to monitor the open-circuit potential, and to perform potentiodynamic polarization and galvanic corrosion evaluation. Also, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used as a complementary technique of the corrosion behaviour of the interface. Chemical composition and morphology of samples and corrosion products were evaluated by SEM and EDS analysis. According to experimental results, two principal reaction layers were formed in the interface: TiAl and Ti3Al. The TiAl layer appears to be the responsible for the strong increase in corrosion rate of the interface.

Particle Distribution and Orientation in Al-Al3Zr and Al-Al3Ti FGMs Produced by the Centrifugal Method

Al-Al3Zr and Al-Al3Ti functionally graded materials (FGMs) were produced by a centrifugal method from Al-5wt% Zr and Al-5wt% Ti alloys, respectively. Applied centrifugal forces were 30, 60 and 120G (units of gravity). Microstructural characterization was performed to evaluate the intermetallic particles’ distribution and orientation. Knoop hardness tests were carried out, with the indenter’s long diameter normal to the centrifugal force direction. Both the Al3Zr and the Al3Ti intermetallic particles are platelet in morphology. These platelets tend to be oriented normal to the centrifugal force direction. Higher applied centrifugal force increases both the intermetallic platelet volume fraction as well as their orientation in the outer regions of the fabricated FGM rings. Also higher orientation and volume fraction distribution are observed in the Al- Al3Ti FGMs. Knoop hardness measurements in general follow the same trend as the intermetallic particle volume fraction for each sample.