Rice and Penn State open center for development of 2-D coatings

August 30, 2015
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Rice University, Houston, and Pennsylvania State University, University Park, announce that scientists at a new research center will study, in collaboration with industry, the development of atom-thin two-dimensional coatings. The goal is to identify materials that solve fundamental scientific and technological challenges in corrosion, oxidation, abrasion, friction, wear, energy conversion, and storage. The partners expect to develop techniques for the large-scale synthesis and deposition of multifunctional coatings.

Rice researchers led by materials scientists Prof. Jun Lou and Prof. Pulickel Ajayan will collaborate with colleagues at Penn State and industry to develop two-dimensional, multifunctional coatings in a National Science Foundation-backed initiative. Both are well-versed in two-dimensional materials such as graphene, molybdenum disulfide, and boron nitride, which are the focus of worldwide research. An atom-thick Rice Owl created in 2013 demonstrated an ability to make fine patterns in a hybrid graphene/hexagonal boron nitride material.

Multifunctional coatings would protect what they cover, but also add value by taking on additional duties, Prof. Lou said. For example, a coating that protects the inside of an oil production well from corrosion might also be a sensor that could detect possible degradation of the structure. The researchers see potential partnerships with manufacturers in the glass, polymer, automotive, electronics, civil infrastructure, and marine industries.

Prof. Lou said Rice's location in Houston, the center of the nation's energy economy, will make it most convenient for collaborations with oil and gas companies interested in the development of novel antifouling and anticorrosion coatings. He characterized the economic significance of coatings as "staggering," and said even incremental advances will have major impact.

The Center for Atomically Thin Multifunctional Coatings, aka ATOMIC, is one of more than 80 Industry/University Cooperative Research Program centers established by the National Science Foundation to encourage scientific collaboration between academia and industry. It is the only NSF center dedicated to the development of advanced 2-D coatings.

www.rice.edu

Euro-K builds micro gas turbines via EOS direct metal laser sintering

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EOS, Germany, reports that Euro-K, Germany, has developed compact micro-burners for energy conversion made by EOS direct metal laser sintering technology. The Euro-K project team chose EOS nickel alloy IN718, a heat- and corrosion-resistant material that has excellent tensile strength, resilience, and resistance to creep and fracture at temperatures up to 700°C. Thanks to its complex design, the burner can operate with either gaseous or liquid fuels.

The new burner is able to use gaseous and liquid fuels equally effectively. Optimized geometry also allows the use of liquid fuel oils that are classified as difficult to burn, such as those distilled of alcohol. Another positive effect is that the burner's innovative design allows the size of the combustion chamber to be reduced by 20%.

There is an additional advantage for end users. Until now, a plant operator had to select the type and grade of fuel to be used, so it was impractical to take advantage of fluctuating market prices. The new burner design changes that by introducing flexibility of purchase.

http://www.eos.info

http://www.eos.info/29efbc0c6d3b7545/industry-small-burners-big-variety

ASB Industries acquires two electric arc thermal spray systems for mechanical rebuilding

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ASB Industries, Barberton, Ohio, recently purchased two new electric arc consoles and rectifiers and spray guns for rebuilding equipment made of alloys such as hard carbon steels, corrosion-resistant stainless steels, high-temperature stainless steels, aluminum, and bronze. In addition to these alloys, all materials that can be drawn into wire are possible candidates for spraying, creating unique alloys along with powder encapsulated within hollow wire.

Wire is fed through drive rollers to meet at the tip. An arc is struck between the two wires, melting them to a molten state, forming droplets that are propelled with nitrogen onto the work surface. Unique in the industry, ASB Industries uses elevated-pressure nitrogen as a propellant, which reduces oxide formation within the coating and greatly aids in work-room cleanliness. The electric arc process allows ASB to appropriately identify process equipment for application solutions using an array of material options for its thermal spray systems.

The electric arc system is flexible and easily hand-held and machine-mounted to easily adapt to unique part shapes. Relatively thick coatings with strong substrate bond and inter-particle bond make the electric arc system ideal for a variety of common repairs. Applications include seal and bearing repair on journals, hydraulic pistons and cylinders, boiler tubes, air-movement components and much more.

Electric arc spray is one of the oldest, most effective thermal spray coating methods. Developed in the early 20th century, electric arc spray uses a low power arc as its heat/energy source. This arc results in a spray process that is economically efficient — very low levels of power are required for the process, and very little heat is transferred to the workpiece. Electric arc sprays are capable of spraying at rates up to 40 pounds per hour or higher, producing some of the fastest coating rates of any method.

Electric wire arc spray allows thicker build-up of coatings, making it an excellent system for dimensional repair. The coatings produced are inherently somewhat porous, which allows lubrication to seep into the pores, a result that can be beneficial for many applications.

www.asbindustries.com  

Seeking nominations for Thermal Spray Hall of Fame

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The Thermal Spray Hall of Fame, established in 1993 by the Thermal Spray Society of ASM International, recognizes and honors outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the science, technology, practice, education, management, and advancement of thermal spraying.

For a copy of the rules, nomination form, and list of previous recipients, visit the TSS Society Awards webpage

/web/tss/membership/society-awards

Or you can contact Joanne Miller [email protected] by email. Nominations are due September 30, 2015.

/web/tss/membership/society-awards

Progressive Surface installs suspension plasma spray systems for semiconductor coatings

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Progressive Surface, Grand Rapids, Mich., recently installed three 100HE plasma spray systems for the semiconductor industry. These systems are designed to spray very thin but dense yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) coatings by the suspension plasma spray (SPS) technique. Each system includes the LiquiFeederHE suspension feed unit and the 100HE plasma torch. The as-sprayed Ra surface roughness for these coatings is typically in the 40 µ-inch (1 µm) range, which is ideal for these types of applications.

SPS requires more energy per deposited mass than conventional powder spraying because a liquid carrier must be vaporized before the plasma can interact with the coating material. The 100HE is well equipped to meet this increased energy requirement through the use of high enthalpy gas mixtures (Ar‐N₂‐H₂ or Ar‐N₂‐He) and operating powers up to 105 kW. The small particle/droplet sizes within SPS increase the sensitivity of the feedstock materials, and thus the microstructure, to changes in the plasma flow. The ternary gas mixtures and high arc voltages (>200 V) of the 100HE generate an extremely stable plasma, allowing for consistent feedstock injection and heating.

Able to apply powders in axial, radial, or external injection modes, the 100HE produces superior plasma coatings applied at higher spray rates and significantly higher deposition efficiencies. It is capable of spraying coatings from 25 wt% solid suspensions and solutions (dissolved solid content) at flow rates of up to 90 ml/min with deposition efficiencies ranging from 50 to 80%.

www.progressivesurface.com