Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coated 316L stainless steel by arc ion plating as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Arc ion plating (AIP) is applied to form Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coating on the surface of 316L stainless steel (SS316L) as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The characterizations of the coating are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Interfacial contact resistance (ICR) between the coated sample and carbon paper is 4.9 m Omega cm(2) under 150 N/cm(2), which is much lower than that of the SS316L substrate. Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic tests are performed in the simulated PEMFC working conditions to investigate the corrosion behaviors of the coated sample. Superior anticorrosion performance is observed for the coated sample, whose corrosion current density is 0.12 mu A/cm(2). Surface morphology results after corrosion tests indicate that the substrate is well protected by the multilayer coating. Performances of the single cell with the multilayer coated SS316L bipolar plate are improved significantly compared with that of the cell with the uncoated SS316L bipolar plate, presenting a great potential for PEMFC application. (C) 2016 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Copper Ions Removal from Wastewater by Electrocoagulation Using Cement-based Cathode Plates

The present work uses PEO solution to well disperse carbon fiber and identifies percolation thresholds of carbon fiber and carbon black which are used as conductive fillers.The resultant cathode plates have an average compressive strength of 27.3 MPa and flexural strength of 29.09 MPa,which demonstrate excellent mechanical properties.The Cu^(2+)removal efficiency was measured at different current densities in EC process with cement-based cathode plate,while the voltage changes were recorded.The results showed that the cement-based cathode plate operated stably and achieved 99.7%removal of 1 L of simulated wastewater with a Cu^(2+)concentration of 200 ppm at a current density of 8 m A/cm^(2)for 1 h.Characterization of floc and tested cathode plates,SEM and EDS analyses,and repeatability testing of the tested plates demonstrate the reusability of the plates,proving that cement-based plates can effectively replace metal cathode plates,reduce the cost of EC and improve the applicability of EC devices.

Effect of Rare Earth Element Cerium on Mechanical Properties and Morphology of TiN Coating Prepared by Arc Ion Plating

TiN coatings were deposited on polished substrates of W18Cr4V high speed steel by means of vacuum arc ion plating. The effect of cerium on adhesion between TiN coating and substrate was studied. The microstructures and composition of TiN coatings were also investigated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and X ray diffraction (XRD) technique. It was found that cerium is an effective modifying agent and the addition of suitable amount of cerium to TiN coatings can produce relatively excellent properties such as micro hardness, wear resistance, oxidation resistance and porosity. The experimental results show that the added cerium in TiN coatings makes a contribution to form the preferred direction along with a (111) or (222) close packed face, which may be one of the reasons that improves some properties mentioned above.

Properties of TiAICrN coatings prepared by vacuum cathodic arc ion plating

TiAlCrN coatings were deposited by means of vacuum cathodic arc ion plating technique on TC 11 （Ti-6.5Al-3.5Mo-1.5Zr-0.3Si） titanium alloy substrates. The composition, phase structure, mechanical performance, and oxidation-resistance of the nivide coatings were investi- gated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, atomic force microscope （AFM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, auger electron spectroscopy （AES）, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy （XPS）. A new process for preparing protective coatings of the titanium alloy is successfully ac- quired. The experimental results indicate that the added element chromium in the TiAlN coatings make a contribution to form the （220） pre- ferred direction. The phases of the coatings are composed of （Ti,Al）N and （Ti,Cr）N. After 700~C and 800~C oxidation, AES analysis shows that the diffusion distribution of the TiAlCrN coatings emerges a step shape. From the outside to the inner, the concentrations of O, Al, and Cr reduce, but those of Ti and N increase. The Al-rich oxide is formed on the surface of the coatings, and the mixed structure of Ti-rich and Cr-rich oxides is formed in the internal layer. The oxidation resistance of the TiAlCrN coatings is excellent at the range of 700 to 800~C. Adhesion wear is the dominant mechanical characteristic for the titanium alloy at room temperature, and the protective coatings with high hardness can improve the mechanical properties of the titanium alloy. The wear resistance of the TC 11 alloy is considerably improved by the TiAlCrN coatings.

Experimental Verification of the Physical Model for Droplet-Particles Cleaning in Pulsed Bias Arc Ion Plating

It has been reported that application of pulsed biases in arc ion plating could effectively eliminate droplet particles. The present paper aims at experimental verification of a physical model proposed previously by us which is based on particle charging and repulsion in the pulsed plasma sheath. An orthogonal experiment was designed for this purpose, using the electrical parameters of the pulsed bias for the deposition of TiN films on stainless steel substrates. The effect of these parameters on the amount and the size distribution of the particles were analyzed, and the results provided sufficient evidence for the physical model.

THE EFFECTS OF PULSE BIAS VOLTAGE AND N_2 PARTIAL PRESSURE ON TiAlN FILMS OF ARC ION PLATING (AIP)

Owing to the characteristics of arc ion plating(AIP) technique, the structure and composition of TiAlN films can be tailored by controlling of various parameters such as compositions of target materials, N2 partial pressure, substrate bias and so on. In this study, several titanium aluminum nitride films were deposited on 1Cr11Ni2W2MoV steel for compressor blade of areo-engine under different d.c pulse bias voltage and nitrogen partial pressure. The effects of substrate pulse bias and nitrogen partial pressure on the deposition rate, droplet formation, microstruture and elemental component of the films were investigated.

Composition demixing effect on cathodic arc ion plating

The composition demixing effect has been found often in alloy coatings deposited by cathodic arc ion plating using various alloy cathode targets. The characteristics of composition demixing phenomena were summarized. Beginning with the ionization zone near the surface of the cathode target, a physical model in terms of the ions generated in the ionization zone and their movement in the plating room modified by bias electric field was proposed. Based on the concept of electric charge state, the simulation calculation of the composition demixing effect was carried out. The percentage of atoms of an element in coating and from the alloy target was demonstrated by direct comparison. The influences of the composition change of the alloy target and the bias electric field on the composition demixing effect were discussed in detail. It is also proposed that the average charge states of the elements may be used to calculate the composition demixing effect and to design the composition of the alloy target.

STUDY ON HIGH TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCES OF MCrAlX COATINGS DEPOSITED BY MULTI-ARC ION PLATING

NCoCrAlSiYHf and CoNiCrAlTaY coatings which belong to protective Al 2O 3 scale forming type were deposited by multi arc ion plating technique . The effect of deposition process parameters on qualities of the coatings was discussed. The high temperature oxidation performances isothermal oxidation with 950℃ / 500h and 1100℃ / 100h were studied. And also, the hot corrosion performances at 700℃ and 800℃, with molten mixed salt composed of 75%wt Na 2SO 4 and 25%wt NaCl were investigated. Then the high temperature protection decaying mechanisms were proposed.

Structure and Mechanical Properties of CrTiAlN/TiAlN Composite Coatings Deposited by Multi-Arc Ion Plating

CrTiAlN/TiAlN composite coatings were deposited on cemented carbide by using a home-made industrial scale multi-arc ion plating system. The samples were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, microhardness and ball-on-disk testing. The properties of the CrTiAlN/TiAlN coatings were significantly influenced by the microstructure and the deposition time ratio of TiAlN over CrTiAlN layers. With the increase of deposition time ratio, the microhardness of CrTiAlN/TiAlN increased from 28.6 GPa to 37.5 GPa, much higher than that of CrTiAlN coatings. The friction coefficients of the CrTiAlN/TiAlN coatings were higher than those of CrTiAlN coatings against a cemented carbide ball. The microhardness of the CrTiAlN/TiAlN coatings was changed after annealing at 800 ℃, and the friction coefficients of the annealed coatings were increased against the cemented carbide ball.

IMPROVEMENT OF ADHESION BETWEEN ION PLATED TiN COATING AND BASE METAL BY ADDING Y

The adhesion between the ion plated TiN coating and the base metal is improved by adding Y.The machenism of the effect of Y has been discussed as well.

Influences of nitrogen flow rate on the structures and properties of Ti and N co-doped diamond-like carbon films deposited by arc ion plating

In this paper, Ti-C-N nanocomposite films are deposited under different nitrogen flow rates by pulsed bias arc ion plating using Ti and graphite targets in the Ar/N2 mixture gas. The surface morphologies, compositions, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the Ti-C-N films are investigated systematically by field emission scanning electron mi- croscopy （FE-SEM）, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, grazing incident x-ray diffraction （GIXRD）, Raman spectra, and nano-indentation. The results show that the nanocrystalline Ti（C,N） phase precipitates in the film from GIXRD and XPS analysis, and Raman spectra prove the presence of diamond-like carbon, indicating the formation of nanocomposite film with microstructures comprising nanocrystalline Ti（C,N） phase embedded into a diamond-like matrix. The nitrogen flow rate has a significant effect on the composition, structure, and properties of the film. The nano-hardness and elastic modulus first increase and then decrease as nitrogen flow rate increases, reaching a maximum of 34.3 GPa and 383.2 GPa, at a nitrogen flow rate of 90 sccm, respectively.

Structure and Tribological Properties of CrTiAlN Coatings Deposited by Multi-Arc Ion Plating

CrTiAIN coatings were prepared by using a home-made industrial scale multi-arc ion plating system. The coatings were found to be composites of face-center-cubic CrN and TiN. The surface roughness, microhardness, and tribological properties of the films were significantly affected by the nitrogen pressure and dc-pulsed bias voltage applied to the substrate. The CrTiA1N coatings with the smoothest surfaces were obtained at optimum conditions of nitrogen pressure of 5.0 Pa and bias voltage of -200 V. The samples were found to exhibit a hardness of 2900 HV0.05 with an average friction coefficient of 0.16 and wear rate of 1.5× 10^-16 m^3/N.m against cemented carbide.

High temperature oxidation behavior of (Ti, Al)N coating deposited by arc ion plating

(Ti, Al)N gradient nano-coating was deposited on the surface of 1Cr11Ni2W2MoV stainless steel by the MTP-8-800 arc ion plating equipment. And the oxidation performance at high temperature for 500h was tested under the condition of the surrounding air temperature 700℃. The test results show that, because of the structural features of the （Ti, Al）N coating, the coating becomes the compact and continuous Al2O3 film, which can protect the basis material effectively in the process of the high temperature oxidizing. The oxidation kinetics of the coating accord with parabolic law.

Friction and Wear Performances of Cathodic Arc Ion Plated TiAlSiN Coating under Oil Lubricated Condition

TiAlSiN coating was deposited on H13 hot work mould steel using cathodic arc ion plating（CAIP）. The surface-interface morphologies and phases of the obtained coating were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy（FESEM） and X-ray diffraction（XRD）, respectively, and the morphologies, distributions of chemical elements and profiles of worn tracks were also researched using scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, energy disperse spectroscopy（EDS）, and optical microscope（OM）, respectively. The friction-wear performances of TiAlSiN coating under oil lubricated and dry fiction conditions were investigated, and the wear mechanisms of TiAlSiN coating were discussed. The experimental results show that the coating is primarily composed of（Ti, Al）N, AlTiN, and TiN hard phases, Si_3N_4 exists between the（Ti, Al）N crystal grains, increasing the coating microhardness to 3200 HV. The TiAlSiN coating has excellent performances of reducing friction and wear resistance, the average coefficient of friction（COF） of TiAlSiN coating under oil lubricated condition is only 0.05, lowered than the average COF of 0.211 under dry friction condition, the wear rate decreases by about 81.2% compared with that under dry friction condition. The wear mechanism of TiAlSiN coating under oil lubricated and dry friction conditions is composed of abrasive wear, fatigue wear, and abrasive wear, respectively. The internal friction of oil lubrication is a main factor of decreasing fatigue wear.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON SUPERFICIAL COAT OF GEARS OF NITRIDED 32Cr2MoV COATED WITH TiN FILM BY MULTI-ARC ION PLATING

After 32CrMoV is selected to manufacture nitrided gears coated with TiN by multi-arc ion plating, all of these uncoated gears and coated gears run in the gearbox under the same initial conditions so as to compare their difference concerning properties and microstructure. Experiment results indicate that tooth surface of the coated-TiN gears does not suffer surface abnormalities in meshed zone. Instead, the gears with nitrided case exhibit an abrasion mark on the meshed zone of tooth surface, which results in more weight loss of nitrided gears. The morphology of the surface suggests TiN film with more than 2 000 HV is so dense and smooth that coated-TiN gears have higher wear resistance compared with the uncoated gears. The microstructure of coated-TiN gears is finer, hardness is higher and its distribution of coated-TiN gears is more reliable than uncoated ones, which makes nitride layer combined with TiN film tightly. Consequently, the wear-resistance of gears has been dramatically promoted.

Formation of nanocrystalline microstructure in arc ion plated CrN films

Applying negative bias voltages caused significant microstructure changes in arc ion plated CrN films. Nanocrystalline microstructures were obtained by adjusting the negative bias voltage. Structural characterizations of the films were carried out using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results indicated that increasing ion bombardment by applying negative bias voltages resulted in the formation of defects in the CrN films, inducing microstructure evolution from micro-columnar to nanocrystalline. The microhardness and residual stresses of the films were also affected. Based on the experimental results, the evolution mechanisms of the film microstructure and properties were discussed by considering ion bombardment effects.

Structure and wear resistance of TiN and TiAlN coatings on AZ91 alloy deposited by multi-arc ion plating

In order to investigate the microstructure of TiN and TiAlN coatings and their effect on the wear resistance of Mg alloy, TiN and TiAlN coatings were deposited on AZ91 magnesium alloy by multi-arc ion plating technology.TiN and Ti70Al30N coatings were prepared on the substrate,respectively,which exhibited dark golden color and compact microstructure.The microstructures of TiN and Ti70Al30N coatings were investigated by X-ray diffractometry(XRD)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The micro-hardness and wear resistance of TiN and Ti70Al30N coatings were investigated in comparison with the uncoated AZ91 alloy. The XRD peaks assigned to TiN and TiAlN phases are found.The hardness of TiN coatings is two times as high as that of AZ91 alloy, and Ti70Al30N coating exhibits the highest hardness.The wear resistance of the hard coatings increases obviously as result of their high hardness.

Lubrication properties of silver-palladium alloy prepared by ion plating method for high temperature stud bolt

As a solid lubricant, silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) alloy coating was investigated for the application to high temperature stud bolt. A glue layer nickel (Ni) film was deposited on the surface of the hex bolt sample and then Ag-Pd alloy coating was performed on it using ion plating method. The friction coefficient of Ag-Pd alloy film coated bolt was lower than that of N-5000 oil coated bolt by the result of axial force measurement. The cyclic test of heat treatment was conducted to evaluate the durability of Ag-Pd alloy film coated bolt. In a cycle, sample was assembled into the block using torque wrench, followed by heating and disassembling. It was not successful to disassemble the N-5000 oil coated bolt from the block after only one cycle. However, the Ag-Pd alloy film coated bolt was able to be disassembled softly till 12 cycles.

Effect of AlN coating on hydrogen permeability and surface structure of VT6 alloy by vacuum arc ion plating

We study the absorption of hydrogen of metal by the permeability method. With the help of the gas reaction controller(GRC), the absorptive capacity of hydrogen, which is a function of time, temperature and pressure, can be recorded. The effect of the performance of the hydrogen permeability of AlN coating on the titanium alloy surface structure is studied.In the research, the AlN is selected to be added to the titanium alloy sample VT6, and the properties of the titanium alloy are investigated, and the hydrogen absorption rate of the coating is calculated by performing the hydrogen saturation of the test sample. The results show that under 600℃ the AlN film reduces the hydrogen absorption rate of titanium alloy and improves the surface properties of VT6 alloy.

Effects of Chloride Ion on the Texture of Copper and Cu-ZrB_(2) Coatings Electrodeposited from Copper Nitrate Solution in Different Plating Modes

For the first time, the texture of copper and Cu-ZrB2 coatings produced from copper nitrate solution was studied. Chloride ion shows different effects on the deposit texture under direct current （DC） and pulse current （PC） conditions. Copper deposits are strongly 〈220〉 textured in DC plating with and without chloride ion. While in PC condition, the predominant texture shifts from 〈220〉 to 〈200〉 as the chloride ion concentration exceeds 20 mg/l. The addition of ZrB2 particles enhances the cathodic polarization of copper deposition, which improves the growth of （111） plane. However, this improvement can be eliminated by further addition of chloride ion.