Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment Technique Research Articles

Soybean-inspired nanomaterial-based broadband piezoelectric energy harvester with local bistability

Bistable nonlinear energy harvesters are effective structures for scavenging broadband energy from frequency-varying vibration sources. The bistable characteristic of such structures is typically induced by introducing magnetic fields, prestress, and nonuniform geometries or fixtures. However, the complicated structures or single deformation modes of these structures limit their practical application. Inspired by the structure of soybean pods, a bionic metallic nanomaterial-based bistable piezoelectric energy harvester is developed in this study. The nanoplate substrate with a local bistable region mimics the configuration of a soybean pod. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the local bistable configuration represents a novel energy harvesting strategy. The local bistable nanoplate is fabricated using a mature surface mechanical attrition treatment technique that generates a gradient nanostructure to enhance the mechanical properties of the bistable structure. The energy harvesting performance and nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the energy harvester are evaluated through frequency-sweep and fixed-frequency vibration tests and numerical simulations with a new two-step finite element (FE) model. The harvester characteristics in three vibration modes (single-well vibration (SV), intermittent cross-well vibration (ICV), and continuous cross-well vibration (CCV)) are discussed. The experimental and numerical results demonstrate that the voltage output and working bandwidth of the proposed harvester increase by five times in the ICV and CCV modes when the excitation acceleration increases from 0.5 g to 3.0 g. The bionic nanomaterial-based bistable piezoelectric energy harvester can be potentially used in various applications such as vehicle suspension systems, tires, and vehicle-bridge systems.

Combining synergetic effects of gradient nanotwins and nanoprecipitates in heterogeneous bronze alloy

Both strengthening effects of gradient nanostructure (especially the gradient nanotwins) and nanoprecipitates have been well-recognized to simultaneously improve the mechanical properties of metallic materials, e.g., the high strength–ductility synergy. In this study, a surface mechanical attrition treatment technique has been applied to fabricate a gradient nanostructured bronze alloy (Cu-12Sn-1.5Ni-0.6Fe) with pre-nanoprecipitates. Atomic-scale investigations were performed to capture the microstructural evolution governing the gradient refinement process along the depth direction of the treated alloy. On one hand, the body-centered cubic (bcc) Fe-rich pre-nanoprecipitates are found to be well-retained in the fabricated gradient nanostructured specimen. On the other hand, it is interesting to reveal that the semi-coherent interfacial zones between the bcc Fe-based nanoprecipitates and face-centered cubic (fcc) Cu matrix with the specific distribution of misfit dislocations could facilitate the nucleation and growth of gradient nanotwins along the depth direction. Specifically, the twinning partials could be associated with the dissociations of the misfit dislocations in the semi-coherent interfacial region, which is evidenced by the concomitant fcc-Cu/bcc-Fe/nanotwin triplex. As a result, the synergetic strengthening effects of gradient nanotwins and nanoprecipitates are combined to enhance the strength–ductility synergy and work hardening capacity. Moreover, in situ transmission electron microscope observations were conducted to understand the synergetic strengthening mechanisms of the gradient nanotwins and nanoprecipitates during the dynamic cracking process in the fabricated gradient nanostructured bronze alloy. The strategy of combining the nanoprecipitates and gradient nanostructure synergetic effects in our work might offer a novel pathway for designing high-performance metallic materials.

Using a two-step method of surface mechanical attrition treatment and calcium ion implantation to promote the osteogenic activity of mesenchymal stem cells as well as biomineralization on a β-titanium surface.

Surface treatment is known as a very efficient measure by which to modulate the surface properties of biomaterials in terms of grain structure, topography, roughness and chemistry to determine the osseointegration of implants. In this work, a two-step method of surface modification was employed to impart high osteogenic activity and biomineralization capacity on a Ti–25Nb–3Mo–2Sn–3Zr alloy (a type of β-titanium named TLM). The preliminary surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) refined the average grain size from 170 ± 19 μm to 74 ± 8 nm in the TLM surface layer and promoted the surface to be much rougher and more hydrophilic. The subsequent Ca-ion implantation did not change the surface roughness and topography obviously, but enhanced the surface wettability of the SMAT-treated TLM alloy. The in vitro evaluations of the adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic genes (RUNX2, ALP, BMP-2, OPN, OCN and COL-I) and protein (ALP, OPN, OCN and COL-I) expressions, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) revealed that the initial SMAT-treated sample significantly enhanced the adhesion and osteogenic functions of MSCs compared to an untreated TLM sample, and the subsequent introduction of Ca ions onto the SMAT-derived nanograined sample further promotes the MSC adhesion, proliferation, osteo-differentiation and ECM mineralization due to the adsorption of more proteins such as laminin (Ln), fibronectin (Fn) and vitronectin (Vn) on the surface, as well as the increase in extracellular Ca concentrations. In addition, the biomineralization capacity of the samples was also evaluated by soaking them in simulated bodily fluid (SBF) at 37 °C for 28 days, and the results showed that the Ca-ion implanted sample significantly boosted the deposition of Ca and P containing minerals on its surface, which was associated with the generation of more Ti–OH groups on the surface after ion implantation. The combination of the SMAT technique and Ca-ion implantation thus endowed the TLM alloy with outstanding osteogenic and biomineralization properties, providing a potential means for its future use in the orthopedic field.

Effect of surface mechanical attrition treatment on biodegradable Mg–1Ca alloy

Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is considered to be an effective approach to obtain a nanostructured layer in the treated surface of metals. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SMAT on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion properties of biodegradable Mg–1Ca alloy, with pure Mg as control. Grain refinement layers with grain size at the nanometer scale in the topmost surface were successfully prepared on Mg–1Ca alloy using SMAT technique, similar to pure Mg. The SMAT not only refined the surface layer of Mg–1Ca alloy, but also promoted the re-dissolution of the Mg2Ca phase into the matrix. As a result, the microhardness of the SMATed samples in the near-surface region was considerably enhanced, and the surface roughness and wettability of the SMATed samples were increased. However, the SMAT led to high density of crystalline defects such as grain boundaries (subgrain boundaries) and dislocations, which severely weakened the corrosion resistance of Mg–1Ca alloy, same as pure Mg.

On the deformation mechanism of ultrafine-grained titanium with multilayered hierarchical structure

The ultrafine-grained Ti with a multilayered hierarchical structure (MHS) has been fabricated by using cryorolling combined with surface mechanical attrition treatment technique. The deformation behavior of this material is a result of superimposition of the different structural layers (and their interfaces) each of which has its specific deformation and failure mechanism. The deformation mechanisms include copious shear banding in the outer amorphous/nanocrystallite layer, grain boundary mediated deformation in the nanograined layer and shear localization in the ultrafine-grained core. The mechanical gradations in the junctions between layers are believed to be responsible for the mitigated interface failure pattern, crack-stopping effect and the enhanced loading resistance. Such a complex plastic deformation processes operating within the individual layers benefits the high strength and work hardening of the MHS Ti.

Preperation of Ceramic Coatings on Ti Alloy by Surface Nanocrystallization/Micro-Arc Oxidation

Nanostructured surface layer was produced on Ti-6Al-4V alloy by surface mechanical attrition treatment(SMAT) technique, and the composite ceramic coatings of surface nanocrystallization/micro-arc oxidation(SNC/MAO) were prepared on the nanocrystallized surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by pulsed single-polar micro-arc oxidation in NaAlO2 solution. XRD, SEM and TEM techniques were used to investigate the phase and surface morphology of ceramic coatings and the influences on the surface state of the alloys. Meantime, the mechanical properties of Ti alloys were measured by tensile test. The results show that after the SMAT treatment for a short period of time, the surface layer was refined into ultrafine grains. The influences of the SMAT technique on the surface morphology of the ceramic coatings were also studied. The ceramic coatings are mainly composed of Al2TiO5, more compact and less porous than those untreated. The mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by SMAT technique are improved, compared with those untreated by SMAT technique.

Properties of Composite Ceramic Coatings on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy by Surface Nanocrystallization/Micro-Arc Oxidation

Nanostructured surface layer was produced on Ti-6Al-4V alloy by surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) technique, and the composite ceramic coatings of surface nanocrystallization/ micro-arc oxidation (SNC/MAO) were prepared on the nanocrystallized surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by pulsed single-polar micro-arc oxidation in NaAlO2 solution. XRD, SEM and TEM techniques were used to investigate the phase and surface morphology of ceramic coatings and the influences on the surface state of the alloys. Meantime, the mechanical properties of Ti alloys were measured by tensile test. The results show that after the SMAT treatment for a short period of time, the surface layer was refined into ultrafine grains. The influences of the SMAT technique on the surface morphology of the ceramic coatings were also studied. The ceramic coatings are mainly composed of Al2TiO5, more compact and less porous than those untreated. The mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by SMAT technique are improved, compared with those untreated by SMAT technique.

Preparation of Ceramic Composite Coatings on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy by Surface Nanocrystallization/Micro-Arc Oxidation

Nanostructured surface layer was produced on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy by surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) technique, and then the ceramic composite coatings of surface nanocrystallization/ micro-arc oxidation (SNC/MAO) were prepared on the nanocrystallized surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by pulsed single-polar micro-arc oxidation in NaAlO2 solution. The phase composition, morphology of surface and section and element content of the nanostructured surface layer and the ceramic coatings were investigated by XRD, TEM, SEM and EDS, respectively. The results showed that after the SMAT technique treatment for a short period of time, the surface layer was refined into ultrafine grains. The thickness of the coatings on the substrate treated by SMAT technique is about 10μm by micro-arc oxidation, which is thicker than the ones on the substrate untreated by SMAT technique, and the ceramic coatings are mainly composed of Al2TiO5. Besides, a bright interface layer comes out between the substrate and the coating when the substrate treated by SMAT technique. The influences of the SMAT technique on the surface morphology of the ceramic coatings also changed. The coatings using the SMAT technique were more compact and less porous than the ones on the substrate untreated by SMAT technique. The content of elements in the nanostructured surface layer on Ti-6Al-4V alloy had changed after the SMAT technique: the content of Ti increased, the content of V decreased, and the content of Al changed a little. The contents of Al and P in the coating increased while the content of Ti decreased.

Nanostructured surface layer on metallic materials induced by surface mechanical attrition treatment

In terms of the grain refinement mechanism induced by plastic straining, a novel surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) was developed for synthesizing a nanostructured surface layer on metallic materials in order to upgrade the overall properties and performance. In this paper, the SMAT technique and the microstructure of the SMAT surface layer will be described. The grain refinement mechanism of the surface layer during the SMAT will be analyzed in terms of the microstructure observations in several typical materials. Obvious enhancements in mechanical properties and tribological properties of the nanostructured surface layer in different materials were observed. Further development and prospects will be addressed with respect to the SMAT as well as the performance and technological applications of the engineering materials with the nanostructured surface layer.

Diffusion of chromium in nanocrystalline iron produced by means of surface mechanical attrition treatment

By means of surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) to a pure iron plate, a nanometer-grained surface layer without porosity and contamination was fabricated. The average grain size in the top surface layer (of 5 μm thick) is about 10–25 nm, and the grain size stability can be maintained up to 653 K. Cr diffusion kinetics in the nanocrystalline Fe phase was measured by using second ion mass spectrometry within a temperature range of 573–653 K. Experimental results showed that diffusivity of Cr in the nanocrystalline Fe is 7–9 orders of magnitude higher than that in Fe lattice and 4–5 orders of magnitude higher than that in the grain boundaries (GBs) of α-Fe. The activation energy for Cr diffusion in the Fe nanophase is comparable to that of the GB diffusion, but the pre-exponential factor is much higher. The enhanced diffusivity of Cr may originate from a large volume fraction of non-equilibrium GBs and a considerable amount of triple junctions in the present nanocrystalline Fe sample processed by means of the SMAT technique.