Effects of La2O3 on Microstructure and Wear Properties of Laser Clad gamma/Cr7C3/TiC Composite Coatings on TiAl Intermatallic Alloy

The effects of La2O3 addition on the microstructure and wear properties of laser clad gamma/C(r)7C(3)/TiC composite coatings on gamma-TiAl intermetallic alloy substrates with NiCr-Cr3C2 precursor mixed powders have been investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and block-on-ring wear tests. The responding wear mechanisms are discussed in detail. The results are compared with that for composite coating without La2O3. The comparison indicates that no evident new crystallographic phases are formed except a rapidly solidified microstructure consisting of the primary hard Cr7C3 and TiC carbides and the gamma/Cr7C3 eutectics distributed in the tough gamma nickel solid solution matrix. Good finishing coatings can be achieved under a proper amount of La2O3-addition and a suitable laser processing parameters. The additions of rare-earth oxide La,03 can refine and purify the microstructure of coatings, relatively decrease the volume fraction of primary blocky Cr7C3 to Cr7C3/gamma eutectics, reduce the dilution of clad material from base alloy and increase the microhardness of the coatings. When the addition of La2O3 is approximately 4 wt.%, the laser clad composite coating possesses the highest hardness and toughness. The composite coating with 4 wt.%La2O3 addition can result the best enhancement of wear resistance of about 30%. However, too less or excessive addition amount of La2O3 have no better influence on wear resistance of the composite coating.

Application of laser cladding technology to improve the interface of thermal barrier coatings

The present study is focused on improvement of the adhesion properties of the interface between plasma-sprayed coatings and substrates by laser cladding technology (LCT), Within the laser-clad layer there is a gradient distribution in chemical composition and mechanical properties that has been confirmed by SEM observation and microhardness measurement. The residual stress due to mismatches in thermal and mechanical properties between coatings and substrates can be markedly reduced and smoothed out. To examine the changes of microstructure and crack propagation in the coating and interface during loading, the three-point bending test has been carried out in SEM with a loading device. Analysis of the distribution of shear stress near the interface under loading has been made using the FEM code ANSYS, The experimental results show clearly that the interface adhesion can be improved with LCT pretreatment, and the capability of the interface to withstand the shear stress as well as to resist microcracking has been enhanced.

Laser-surface-alloyed carbon nanotubes reinforced hydroxyapatite composite coatings

Carbon-nanotube sCNTd-reinforced hydroxyapatite composite coatings have been fabricated by laser surface alloying. Microstructural observation using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that a large amount of CNTs remained with their or

Micro/Nanomechanical and Tribological Properties of thin Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings

The diamond-like carbon (DLC) films with different thicknesses on 9Crl8 bearing steels were prepared using vacuum magnetic-filtering arc plasma deposition. Vickers indentation. nanoin-dentation and nanoscratch tests were used to characterize the DLC films with a wide range of applied loads. Mechanical and tribological behaviors of these submicron films were investigated and interpreted. The hardnesses of 9Crl8 and DLC, determined by nanoindentation, are approximately 8GPa and 60GPa respectively; their elastic moduli are approximately 25OGPa and 600GPa respectively. The friction coefficients of 9Crl8, DLC. organic coating, determined by nanoscratch, are approximately 0. 35, 0. 20 and 0. 13 respectively. It is demonstrated that nanoindentation and nanoscratch tests can provide more information about the near-surface elastic-plastic deformation, friction and wear properties. The correlation of mechanical properties and scratch resistance of DLC films on 9Crl8 steels can provide an assessment for the load-carrying capacity and wear resistance

Industry perceptions of barriers to commercialization of regenerative medicine products in the UK.

AIMS: Regenerative medicine is an emerging field with the potential to provide widespread improvement in healthcare and patient wellbeing via the delivery of therapies that can restore, regenerate or repair damaged tissue. As an industry, it could significantly contribute to economic growth if products are successfully commercialized. However, to date, relatively few products have reached the market owing to a variety of barriers, including a lack of funding and regulatory hurdles. The present study analyzes industry perceptions of the barriers to commercialization that currently impede the success of the regenerative medicine industry in the UK. MATERIALS & METHODS: The analysis is based on 20 interviews with leading industrialists in the field. RESULTS: The study revealed that scientific research in regenerative medicine is thriving in the UK. Unfortunately, lack of access to capital, regulatory hurdles, lack of clinical evidence leading to problems with reimbursement, as well as the culture of the NHS do not provide a good environment for the commercialization of regenerative medicine products. CONCLUSION: Policy interventions, including increased translational government funding, a change in NHS and NICE organization and policies, and regulatory clarity, would likely improve the general outcomes for the regenerative medicine industry in the UK.

Interfacial microstructure and mechanical behaviour in laser clad TiCp/Ni alloy coatings

Coatings of TiCp reinforced composite have been produced by laser cladding. Two kinds of coating with different TiCp origins were investigated, i.e. undissolved TiCp and in situ TiCp. For undissolved TiCp, epitaxial growth of TiC, precipitation of CrB, and a chemical reaction occur at phase interfaces, and nanoindentation loading curves show pop in marks caused by the plastic deformation associated with crack formation or debonding of TiCp from the matrix. As for in situ TiCp, no pop in mark appears. Meanwhile, in situ TiCp produces hardness and elastic modulus values that are higher than those produced by the coating that contains undissolved TiCp.

亚微米氮化钛膜的纳米压痕和划痕测定Coatings

采用等离子电弧沉积的方法分别在GT35和40CrNiMo钢上沉积厚约为0.5mm 的氮化钛(TiN)膜。为了筛选基材，采用纳米压痕和划痕技术评价膜基界面结合和固体润滑效果。纳米压痕结果，采用等离子电弧沉积的方法，分别在GT35和40CrNiMo钢上沉积厚约为0.5$\mu $m 的氮化钛(TiN)膜。为了筛选基材，采用纳米压痕和划痕技术，评价膜基界面结合和固体润滑效果。纳米压痕结果，GT35，40CrNiMo和TiN的纳米硬度/弹性模量的典型值分别约为11.5 Gpa/330 Gpa，6.0 Gpa/210 Gpa，30 Gpa/450 Gpa。纳米划痕结果，GT35有较理想的膜基结合能力；GT35，40CrNiMo，TiN及其有机膜的摩擦系数分别约为0.25，0.45，0.15，0.10。同40CrNiMo相比，GT35是较为理想的基体材料。纳米压痕和划痕技术能提供丰富的近表面的弹塑性变形、断裂和摩擦等的信息，是评价亚微米薄膜力学性能的有效手段。

Characterization of a Laser-Discrete Quenched Steel Substrate/Chromium System by Dissolving Coatings

A laser-discrete quenched steel (LDQS) substrate/as-deposited chromium (top high-contraction (HC) and underlying low-contraction (LC) chromium) system was investigated by dissolving coatings in order to reveal the mechanism that the service life of the coated parts is largely improved using the hybrid technique of laser pre-quenching plus chromium post-depositing. It was found that the surface characteristics of the substrate, LC and HC chromium layer can be simultaneously revealed owing to the dissolution edge effect of chromium coatings. Moreover, the periodical gradient morphologies of the LDQS substrate are clearly shown: the surfaces of laser transformation-hardened regions are rather smooth; a lot of fine micro-holes exist in the transition zones; there are many micro-dimples in the original substrate. Furthermore, the novel method of dissolving coatings with sharp interfaces may be used to reveal the structural features of a substrate/coating system, explore the effect of the substrate on the initial microstructure and morphologies of coatings, and check the quality of the coated-parts.

Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Laser Clad gamma/Cr7C3/Tic Composite Coatings on gamma-TiA1 Intermetallic Alloy

In order to improve the wear resistance of the gamma-TiAl intermetallic alloy, microstructure, room- and high-temperature (600 degrees C) wear behaviors of laser clad gamma/Cr7C3/TiC composite coatings with different constitution of NiCr-Cr3C2 precursor-mixed powders have been investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), block-on-ring (room-temperature) and pin-on-disk (high-temperature) wear tests. The responding wear mechanisms are discussed in detail. Results show that microstructures of the laser clad composite coatings have non-equilibrium solidified microstructures consisting of primary hard Cr7C3 and TiC carbides and the inter-primary gamma/Cr7C3 eutectic matrix, about three to five times higher average microhardness compared with the TiAl alloy substrate. Higher wear resistance than the original TiAl alloy is achieved in the clad composite coatings under dry sliding wear conditions, which is closely related to the formation of non-equilibrium solidified reinforced Cr7C3 and TiC carbides and the positive contribution of the relatively ductile and tough gamma/Cr7C3 eutectics matrix and their stability under high-temperature exposure.

Amorphous Coatings Deposited on Aluminum Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

Amorphous [Al-Si-O] coatings were deposited on aluminum alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The process parameters, composition, micrograph, and mechanical property of PEO amorphous coatings were investigated. It is found that the growth rate of PEO coatings reaches 4.44 mu m/min if the current density is 0.9 mA/mm(2). XRD results show that the PEO coatings are amorphous in the current density range of 0.3-0.9 mA/mm(2). EDS results show that the coatings are composed of O, Si and At elements. SEM results show that the coatings are porous. Nano indentation results show that the hardness of the coatings is about 3 - 4 times of that of the substrate, while the elastic modulus is about the same with the substrate. Furthermore, a formation mechanism of amorphous PEO coatings was proposed.

Substrate Effects on the Micro/Nanomechanical Properties of TiN Coatings

Nanoindentation and nanoscratch tests were performed for titanium nitride (TiN) coatings on different tool steel substrates to investigate the indentation/scratch induced deformation behavior of the coatings and the adhesion of the coating–substrate interfaces and their tribological property. In this work, TiN coatings with a thickness of about 500 nm were grown on GT35, 9Cr18 and 40CrNiMo steels using vacuum magnetic-filtering arc plasma deposition. In the nanoindentation tests, the hardness and modulus curves for TiN/GT35 reduced the slowest around the film thickness 500 nm with the increase of indentation depth, followed by TiN/9Cr18 and TiN/40CrNiMo. Improving adhesion properties of coating and substrate can decrease the differences of internal stress field. The scratch tests showed that the scratch response was controlled by plastic deformation in the substrate. The substrate plays an important role in determining the mechanical properties and wear resistance of such coatings. TiN/GT35 exhibited the best load-carrying capacity and scratch/wear resistance. As a consequence, GT35 is the best substrate for TiN coatings of the substrate materials tested.

Microstructure and mechanical properties at TiCp/Ni-alloy interfaces in laser-synthesized coatings

Titanium carbide particle (TiCp) reinforced Ni alloy composite coatings were synthesized by laser cladding using a cw 3 kW CO2 laser. Two kinds of coatings were present in terms of TiCp origins, i.e. undissolved and in situ reacted TiCp, respectively. The former came from the TiCp pre-coated on the sample, whereas the latter from in situ reaction between titanium and graphite in the molten pool during laser irradiation. Conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscope observations showed the epitaxial growth of TiC, the precipitation of CrB, and the chemical reaction between Ti and B elements around phase interfaces of undissolved TiCp. The hardness, H, and elastic modulus, E, were measured by nanoindentation of the matrix near the TiCp interface. For undissolved TiCp, the loading curve revealed pop-in phenomena caused by the plastic deformation of the crack formation or debounding of TiCp from the matrix. As for in situ generated TiCp, no pop-in mark appears. On the other hand, in situ reacted TiCp led to much higher hardness and modulus than that in the case of undissolved TiCp. The coating reinforced by in situ generated TiCp displayed the highest impact wear resistance at both low and high impact conditions, as compared with coatings with undissolved TiCp and without TiCp. The impact wear resistance of the coating reinforced by undissolved TiCp increases at a low impact work but decreases at a high impact work, as compared with the single Ni alloy coating. The degree of wear for the composite coating depends primarily on the debonding removal of TiCp.