Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

Electrospark coatings alloyed with MoS2 have been studied. The coatings were obtained by the following two strategies: the first consisted of pre-applying molybdenum disulfide to the treated surface and alloying with a molybdenum electrode (Mo + MoS2 coating); the second consisted of applying a paste with a sulfur content of 33.3% to the treated surface and alloying with a molybdenum electrode (Mo + S coating). The structure, phase composition, and tribological properties of the coatings were investigated. The coatings have a complex structure consisting of an upper soft layer, a hardened white layer, a diffusion zone, and a substrate. Element analysis and cross-sectional hardness changes indicated that element diffusion occurred at the coating/substrate interface. The phase composition of the coatings is represented by BCC and FCC solid solutions on Fe, and MoS2 is also detected. In Mo + S coatings, the molybdenum disulfide on the surface is about 8%; in Mo + MoS2 coatings, it is 27%–46%. The obtained coatings show very good tribological properties compared to molybdenum ESA coatings. The frictional forces and coefficients are reduced by a factor of 10 and 40, depending on the test conditions.

electrospark alloying, coating, structure, molybdenum disulfide, tribological properties, energy conservation

Four-hour oxidation processes of niobium in an air atmosphere at temperatures of 400 °C, 425 °C, 450 °C and 500 °C were carried out. In order to characterise the layers produced, the cross-sectional microstructure, chemical and phase composition as well as surface roughness were examined. The mechanical properties of the surface were determined by performing Vickers microhardness tests. In order to verify the properties from a biological point of view, contact angle analysis and corrosion tests in Ringer's solution were carried out. The results revealed the formation of layers composed of a solid solution of oxygen in niobium Nb(O) at oxidation temperatures of 400 °C, a solution of Nb(O) and niobium pentoxide Nb2O5 at 425 °C, and Nb2O5 at 450 °C and 500 °C. Increased oxidation temperature resulted in an increase in hardness and surface roughness, and each process contributed to improved corrosion resistance. Oxidation at too high temperature (≥450 °C) caused degradation of the material's surface due to niobium's low heat resistance. At 450 °C the first cracks in the material were visible, and at 500 °C the layer was inhomogeneous, brittle and underwent significant chipping. The highest hardness, roughness and hydrophobic properties were shown by niobium oxidised at 500 °C, which underwent surface degradation at this temperature. In turn, niobium oxidised at 400 °C and 425 °C showed outstanding properties in the biological aspect, achieving both high hydrophilicity and the highest corrosion resistance.

Niobium, Oxidation, Microstructure, Corrosion, Contact angle, Surface engineering