Carbon Nanotubes Improves the Tribological Properties of Ni60/Al₂O₃ Coatings

Abstract:

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was introduced into Ni60/Al₂O₃ coating by flame spraying. The effect of adding CNTs on the tribological properties of the coating was studied by varying the CNTs content as 0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 wt% in the Ni60/Al₂O₃ powders. The microhardness tester was used to measure the microhardness of the coating. Wear tests were performed on a pin-on-disk tribometer, to evaluate the tribological properties of the Ni60/Al₂O₃/CNTs coatings. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ni60/Al₂O₃/CNTs coatings revealed a lower wear rate and friction coefficient compared with the original coating, and their wear rates and friction coefficients showed a decreasing trend with increasing mass fraction of CNTs within the range from 0 to 3.0 wt% due to the effects of the reinforcement and reduced friction of CNTs. The results showed that the CNTs played dual roles in improving the tribological performance of the coating, indirectly by influencing the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coating and directly by acting as a lubricating medium.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 785-786)
• Pages: 864-871
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.785-786.864
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Shu Xiao, Xi Yun Cheng, De Gui Ma
• Keywords: Carbon Nanotube (CN), Flame Spraying, Microhardness, Tribology

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