Incorporation of Impact Erosion and Corrosion Behavior of Multi-layer Metallic Nitride Structures Deposited on Various Metal Substrates into a Lab-Based Class

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Erosion caused by the impingement of solid particles that are carried in a transport fluid on to a metal surface continues to be a common problem. The hardness of the metal, the angle of particle impact, and the intensity of the impact determine the magnitude of the erosional process. A group of international students from the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP) were placed on a team that allowed them to investigate impact erosion on various metals using a custom designed erosion apparatus built by students. These metals include various steel and aluminum alloys that have been enhanced through heat treatment and/or multi-layer structures consisting of alternating ceramic (metallic nitride) and metallic coatings deposited on the metal substrates using a DC high vacuum magnetron sputtering deposition machine. This experimental study allowed students to learn about metal enhancement techniques, use current material evaluation equipment, and then compare the changes to the material properties on the surface of the specimen tested with respect to the erosion process. What is presented is a summary of the student’s learning experience with respect to the science of plasma deposition, its performance during the erosion process, and how this work can be used in a junior/senior mechanical engineering laboratory class.

Author(s):

Stephen Hill    
School of Engineering
Mercer University
United States

Dorina Mihut    
School of Engineering
Mercer University
United States

Paul Harpe    
Mercer University
United States

Joao Borba    
Mercer University
United States

Pedro Maleson    
Mercer University
United States

Vinicius Alves    
Mercer University
United States

Rodrigo Couto    
Mercer University
United States