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CORE RESEARCH PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES
04 April 2005 - TWI (The Welding Institute)
| It is forecast that nano-materials will revolutionise surface engineering because remarkable combinations of properties, such as strength, hardness, toughness, impact and corrosion resistance, will be achievable simultaneously due to nano-scale grain refinement. |
It is forecast that nano-materials will revolutionise surface engineering because remarkable combinations of properties, such as strength, hardness, toughness, impact and corrosion resistance, will be achievable simultaneously due to nano-scale grain refinement. At present, nano-structured coatings are mostly produced by vapour phase deposition, ion or sol-gel processes and are limited to high value components. To introduce nano-structured coating benefits to a wider market more processes such as HVOF spraying and low cost materials such as steel will be needed. To date, nano-structured thermal spray powders have been produced by expensive processes such as the agglomeration and sintering of mechanically milled nano-sized particles to form macro-powders. TWI, however, has recently completed the preliminary evaluation of HVOF coatings prepared from powder containing a mixture of crystalline and amorphous structures. Initial trials show these coatings are characterised by very low porosity (0.2%), high hardness (960HV0.2) and low oxygen content (0.2%). Work continues in the Core Research Programme comparing the wear and corrosion behaviour of coatings produced from amorphous and nano-structured powders with HVOF carbide coatings and hard chrome plating.
http://www.twi.co.uk
About: TWI (The Welding Institute)
TWI Ltd, the operating arm of The Welding Institute, is one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations. Based at Great Abington near Cambridge since 1946, TWI provides industry with engineering solutions in structures incorporating welding and associated technologies (surfacing, coating, cutting, etc.) through - information; advice and technology transfer; consultancy and project support; contract R&D; training and qualification, personal membership.It is the only single source of expertise in every aspect of joining technology for engineering materials - metals, plastics, ceramics and composites. TWI is a non-profit distributing company, limited by guarantee and owned by its Members; it is therefore able to offer independent advice. It is internationally renowned for bringing together multidisciplinary teams to implement established or advanced joining technology or to solve problems arising at any stage - from initial design, materials selection, production and quality assurance, through to service performance and repair. Over 450 skilled staff are dedicated to helping industry apply all forms of joining technology safely and efficiently. Some 3200 companies and organisations - representing virtually all sectors of manufacturing industry from over 60 countries around the globe - benefit from TWI services. TWI undertakes contract R & D in confidence for both industry and governments. As a consultant it can offer individual experts or teams able to help solve problems of all kinds related to materials joining. It will send its specialists anywhere in the world at short notice on troubleshooting missions. |
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