Meso-scale Tribology of Alloys & Composites
Meso-scale tribology is a specialized field that delves into the intricate study of friction, lubrication, and wear phenomena within a unique range, spanning from micrometers to millimeters and to centimeters. This versatile scale allows to harness the comprehensive tribological responses of alloys and composites possessing complex hierarchical microstructures, including various features such as grains, grain boundaries, splats, and splat boundaries. Furthermore, this substantial length scale enables a deeper understanding of how secondary reinforcement additions, such as 1D nanotubes (BNNT, CNT), 2D layered structures (h-BN, WS2), and 3D large particulates (SiC), influences the overall bulk tribological behavior of the specimen.
At PFL, researchers employ high-throughput scratch testers equipped with load frames ranging from 1 to 200 N. These sophisticated tools serve as a pivotal means to assess and analyze alloys and composites prepared through a diverse array of manufacturing techniques, including wire-arc additive manufacturing, cold spray deposition, plasma spraying, and spark plasma sintering. The research conducted at PFL delves deep into the intricacies of frictional interactions, with a keen focus on the effect of reinforcement addition and deformation mechanisms on critical parameters such as frictional force, coefficient of friction, residual depth, and penetration depth. The precision of these analyses is further enhanced by real-time acquisition of acoustic emission data and the creation of panoramic wear scars. By intertwining these multifaceted investigations, meso-scale tribology research advances the understanding of materials and their tribological properties and its complex interplay between processing parameters and length-scale phenomena.