Improvements of Arboblend V2 Nature Characteristics through Depositing Thin Ceramic Layers

Abstract

The paper aims to investigate the behavior of Arboblend V2 Nature biopolymer samples covered with three ceramic powders, Amdry 6420 (Cr2O3), Metco 143 (ZrO2 18TiO2 10Y2O3) and Metco 136F (Cr2O3-xSiO2-yTiO2). The coated samples were obtained by injection molding, and the micropowder deposition was achieved by using the Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) method, with varied thickness layers. The present study will only describe the results for nine-layer deposition because, as the number of layers’ increases, the surface quality and mechanical/thermal characteristics such as wear, hardness and thermal resistance are also increased. The followed determinations were conducted: the adhesion strength, hardness on a microscopic scale by micro-indentation, thermal analysis and structural and morphological analysis. The structural analysis has highlighted a uniform deposition for the ZrO2 18TiO2 10Y2O3 layer, but for the layers that contained Cr2O3 ceramic microparticles, the deposition was not completely uniform. The thermal analysis revealed structural stability up to a temperature of 230 °C, the major degradation of the biopolymer matrix taking place at a temperature around 344 °C. The samples’ crystalline structure as well as the presence of the Cr2O3 compound significantly influenced the micro-indentation and scratch analysis responses. The novelty of this study is given by itself the coating of the Arboblend V2 Nature biopolymer (as base material), with ceramic microparticles as the micropowder coating material. Following the undertaken study, the increase in the mechanical, tribological and thermal characteristics of the samples recommend all three coated biopolymer samples as suitable for operating in harsh conditions, such as the automotive industry, in order to replace plastic materials.

Surface Characterization of Arboblend V2 Nature Coated With Ceramic Micro Particles

“…Another aspect to note is that with the increase in the number of layers, the apparent friction coefficient decreases, which denotes again the poor adhesion of the Cr2O3-xSiO2-yTiO2 powder on the polymer substrate. In case of ZrO2 18TiO2 10Y2O3 coating (S1, S2 and S3) both A-COF values and their standard deviations reflect a uniform adhesion of the ceramic layer, so, a uniform deposition of the layer, also confirmed by the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis of these samples, [10]. The good results were certainly influenced by the chemical composition of the micropowder, which favored the good adhesion to the polymer substrate but also by the particles size (1 -27 µm.)…”

“…The good results were certainly influenced by the chemical composition of the micropowder, which favored the good adhesion to the polymer substrate but also by the particles size (1 -27 µm.) much smaller and unvariated as shape (spherical form), [10], than in the case of the other to micropouder who did not meet these features.…”

“…For samples, S4 and S6 are registered two moments of maximum A-COF one at the beginning of the test and one when the test is stopped. The reason why the first value is taking place is related to the deposition granulation, which, according to the literature, [10], it has larger dimensions (9-30 µm) than the other two types of powders. Also, it is possible that the tip of the cutting tool has hung a micro-particle of the deposited powder with a large granulation.…”

Technical Optimization of Water Jet Cutting of Biodegradable Materials

“…The biodegradable material Arboblend V2 Nature was used, whose studies on mechanical, thermal and structural properties were carried out by a number of authors according to [20][21][22][23][24][25][26], and which were extremely useful in establishing the research and selection methodology of the parameters of the water cutting process. The cut parts of the two materials are shown in Figure 6.…”

Biodegradable polymer properties through ceramic coatings

“…The aim of the surface coating presented in this manuscript was to improve the wear and hardness but also to increase the anti-corrosion characteristics of Arboblend V2 Nature. The novelty of the study consists in achieving a coating with APS on a thermally sensitive substrate -biodegradable polymer (low melting temperature approximately 170°C) [10].…”