Metallic Transfer Films Studied In Situ and Ex Situ: The Case of Cold-Sprayed Al-Al2O3
Résumé
The advent of the cold spray process has permitted bulk spray deposition of oxidation-sensitive materials such as aluminum. Particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (Al-MMCs) exhibit lower wear rates and more stable friction than their un-reinforced matrix materials. This improvement in tribological behavior is useful for various aerospace applications, such as coating of magnesium gearbox components. But the details of this improvement remain poorly understood, particularly in terms of the dynamic behavior of third bodies. The present study utilizes in situ tribometry to study real-time dynamic third body behavior in cold sprayed pure Al and Al-Al2O3 composites. Ex situ analysis of transfer films and wear tracks microstructural details of the shift in third body behavior due to the presence of Al2O3