Performance of Hybrid Powder-Suspension Axial Plasma Sprayed Al2O3—YSZ Coatings in Bovine Serum Solution

Ceramic coatings on metallic implants are a promising alternative to conventional implants due to their ability to offer superior wear resistance. The present work investigates the sliding wear behavior under bovine serum solution and indentation crack growth resistance of four coatings, namely (1) conventional powder-derived alumina coating (Ap), (2) suspension-derived alumina coating (As), (3) composite Al2O3—20wt % Yittria stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) coating (AsYs) deposited using a mixed suspension, and (4) powder Al2O3—suspension YSZ hybrid composite coating ApYs developed by axial feeding plasma spraying, respectively. The indentation crack growth resistance of the hybrid coating was superior due to the inclusion of distributed fine YSZ particles along with coarser alumina splats. Enhanced wear resistance was observed for the powder derived Ap and the hybrid ApYs coatings, whereas the suspension sprayed As and AsYs coatings significantly deteriorated due to extensive pitting.

Mechanical properties of ultra-high pressure sintered sphene (CaTiSiO5)

The investigation of nano-mechanical properties of sphene sintered under ultra-high pressures in the order of 4GPa is done using indentation techniques. An indentation hardness of 6.6GPa and reduced elastic modulus of 112.3GPa is reported at maximum load of 7mN. The material exhibits a high elastic recovery (~59.1%) and the nature of deformation mechanism has been comprehended from the plastic work ratio. In addition, the fracture toughness of the material is also evaluated using indentation crack length method.

Study on Microstructure and Fracture Toughness of TaC Ceramic Coating on HT300

Tantalum carbide (TaC) ceramic coating was produced on grey cast iron by the combined process of casting and heat treatment. The microstructure, micro-hardness, and fracture toughness of the TaC ceramic coating were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and indentation technique. The results show that TaC ceramic coating can be divided into two apparent regions, and the density of products gradually decrease from the surface to the matrix. The main phases of the ceramic coating are only TaC, α-Fe, and Fe3C. TEM examination revealed a nanostructure ceramic, in which 200~300 nm TaC grains are cemented by iron binder. The nanoindentation hardness of TaC ceramic coating vary in the range of 14~21 GPa. A close examination of the indentation crack paths of TaC samples revealed that the TaC ceramic coating have extensive crack deflection with a great amount of intergranular fracture.