Fe and Cr are regarded as two of the most important friction components in Cu-based composites (Cu–BCs). In this study, the microstructural detection and micro- and macro-tribology evaluation of Cu–BCs containing Fe and Cr were performed. The results indicated that both Fe and Cr formed diffusion interfaces with the copper matrix. Because of the generation of a defect interface layer, the Cr/Cu interface exhibited a low bonding strength. Owing to the excellent binding interface between Fe and Cu, the high coefficient of friction (COF) of Fe, and the formation of a mechanical mixing layer promoted by Fe, the Cu–BCs containing Fe presented better friction performance under all braking energy per unit area (BEPUA) values. The main wear mechanism of Cu–BCs containing Fe and Cr changed from abrasion to delamination with an increase in BEPUA, and the delamination of Cu–BCs containing Fe was induced by breaks in the mechanical mixed layer (MML).
Cermet coatings deposited using high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) are widely used due to their excellent wear and corrosion resistance. The new agglomeration-rapid sintering method is an excellent candidate for the preparation of WC-Co-Cr feedstock powders. In this study, four different WC-10Co-4Cr feedstock powders containing WC particles of different sizes were prepared by the new agglomeration-rapid sintering method and deposited on steel substrates using the HVOF technique. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nanoindentation, and Vickers indentation. The through-thickness residual stress profiles of the coatings and substrate materials were determined using neutron diffraction. We found that the microstructures and mechanical properties of the coatings were strongly dependent on the WC particle size. Decarburization and anisotropic mechanical behaviors were exhibited in the coatings, especially in the nanostructured coating. The coatings containing nano- and medium-sized WC particles were dense and uniform, with a high Young's modulus and hardness and the highest fracture toughness among the four coatings. As the WC particle size increased, the compressive stress in the coating increased considerably. Knowledge of these relationships enables the optimization of feedstock powder design to achieve superior mechanical performance of coatings in the future.
Bovine endometritis has become a persistent issue in the global dairy business, resulting in huge economic losses. Due to their numerous positive benefits, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have recently demonstrated remarkable pharmacological potential against endometritis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the Yimucao formula (YMF) that involves five herbs in lactation cows under endometritis conditions. Initially, the possible impacts of YMF on cows with endometritis were assessed. Then, using network pharmacology, potential molecular processes by which the YMF prevents endometritis were suggested. The findings demonstrated a considerable improvement in endometritis-related clinical complaints following YMF treatment. Mechanically, 150 active compounds were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP); of these, quercetin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, apigenin, isorhamnetin, and sitogluside were the most prevalent active substances. The NCBI gene, GeneCard, and OMIM databases had 110 genes linked to endometritis. The intersection of these targets with the 213 active ingredient targets produced 17 common targets, of which BCL2, IL-6, MMP9, HIF1α, TNF, IL-1β, and ICAM1 were the top 7 core targets. According to the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment data, atherosclerosis, fluid shear stress, and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway are the primary causes of YMF's anti-endometritis action. Finally, our results indicate that the YMF works on endometritis through various and multi-targeted signaling pathways, which provide reference for clinical practice, based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.
Electromagnetic rail launch technology has attracted increasing attention owing to its advantages in terms of range, firepower, and speed. However, due to electricity-magnetism-heat-force coupling, the surface of the armature–rail friction pair becomes severely damaged, which restricts the development of this technology. A series of studies have been conducted to reduce the damage of the armature–rail friction pair, including an analysis of the damage mechanism and protection strategies. In this study, various types of surface damage were classified into mechanical, electrical, and coupling damages according to their causes. This damage is caused by factors such as mechanical friction, mechanical impact, and electric erosion, either individually or in combination. Then, a detailed investigation of protection strategies for reducing damage is introduced, including material improvement through the use of novel combined deformation and heat treatment processes to achieve high strength and high conductivity, as well as surface treatment technologies such as structural coatings for wear resistance and functional coatings for ablation and melting resistance. Finally, future development prospects of armature–rail friction pair materials are discussed. This study provides a theoretical basis and directions for the development of high-performance materials for the armature–rail friction pair.
Residual stress measurements were conducted by time-of-flight neutron diffraction and Rietveld analysis method in Al2O3/Y-TZP ceramic composites fabricated by different green processing techniques (a novel tape casting and conventional slip casting) and with different Y-TZP content (5 and 40 vol.% Y-TZP). The results show that the residual stresses in Y-TZP particulates are tensile and the ones in Al2O3 matrix are compressive, with almost flat through-thickness residual stress profiles in all bulk samples. As Y-TZP content increased, tension in Y-TZP phase was decreased but compression in Al2O3 matrix was increased (in absolute value). The values of residual stresses for both phases were mainly dependent on the Y-TZP content in the studied Al2O3/Y-TZP composites, irrespective of sample orientation and fabrication processes (a novel tape casting and conventional slip casting). Se han hecho medidas de tensiones residuales por difracción de neutrones mediante la técnica de tiempo de vuelo en muestras de compuestos cerámicos de Al2O3/Y-TZP (alumina-circonia) fabricados por dos técnicas diferentes de procesado en verde (colaje en cinta y colaje convencional) y con distinto contenido de Y-TZP (5% y 40% en volumen, respectivamente). Los resultados se han analizado usando el método de Rietveld y muestran que las tensiones residuales en las partículas de Y-TZP son de tracción mientras que en la matriz de alúmina son de compresión, con perfiles de tensiones residuales casi planos a lo largo del espesor de las muestras. A medida que aumenta el contenido de Y-TZP, las tensiones residuales de tracción en esa fase disminuyen, mientras que las tensiones de compresión en la matriz de alumina aumentan (en valor absoluto). Se ha demostrado que los valores de las tensiones residuales en ambas fases dependen fundamentalmente del contenido de zirconia en los compuestos estudiados, independiente de la dirección de medida y el proceso de fabricación (colaje en cinta frente a colaje convencional).