New Abrasive Coatings: Abraded Volume Measurements in Ceramic Ball Production

Irene Pessolano Filos,Raffaella Sesana,Rocco Lupoi,Massimiliano Di Biase

doi:10.3390/jmmp5030081

Irene Pessolano Filos, Raffaella Sesana + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp5030081

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Abstract

Technological progress in hybrid bearings developed high wear and abrasion resistant materials for rolling elements. The manufacturing process of bearing balls presents new challenges, as nowadays, it requires time-consuming and costly processes. In this frame, the bearing manufacturing industry is demanding improvements in materials, geometry, and processes. This work aims to investigate new abrasive coatings for grinding wheels for Si3N4 ball manufacturing. Tribological pin on disk tests are performed on samples of grinding materials (disk) versus a Si3N4 ball (pin). Two samples of specimens coated with an electrodeposited diamond and diamond-reinforced metal matrix composite are examined to measure the abrasion rate and the wear resistance of Silicon Nitride Si3N4 balls, considering the influence of sliding speed and the effect of coating deposition on diamond particle density and granulometry. The measurements estimated the specific wear coefficient k, the height wear surface h, and the wear rate u of the Si3N4 balls. The results pointed out that by increasing the sliding speed, the abraded volume increases for both the coatings. The parameters affecting the abrasion effectiveness of both the coatings are the surface roughness, the abrasive particle dimension, and the sliding speed.

Highlights

Technological progress has led to the development of hybrid bearings that entail the use of ceramic rolling elements characterized by a high bearing stiffness, low weight, nonnegligible self-lubricating properties, high corrosion resistance, and electric insulation [1,2,3,4]
The experimental investigation described in this paper involved the use of Si3N4 ceramic bearing balls and two different diamond coatings employed in pin-on-disk tests: a diamond-reinforced metal matrix composite cold-sprayed on an Aluminium substrate, and a synthetic diamond coating with a maximum particle size of 30 μm electrodeposited on a Cast Iron substrate
It can be observed that the use of the D30 coating leads to higher levels of wear in comparison to those of diamond-reinforced metal matrix composites (DMMC) coatings, with the consequent creation of a rougher final surface

Summary

Introduction

Technological progress has led to the development of hybrid bearings that entail the use of ceramic rolling elements characterized by a high bearing stiffness, low weight, nonnegligible self-lubricating properties, high corrosion resistance, and electric insulation [1,2,3,4]. Because of their peculiar physical, thermal, and mechanical properties, these bearings have been considered for several applications, including those related to the production of electric motors, medical equipment, machine tool spindles, and turbine generators [5,6,7]. Given the complexity of these phenomena, the bearing manufacturing industry is demanding improvements in materials, geometry, and process parameters calibration

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