In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of DLC coatings doped with tungsten (a-C:H:W) coatings obtained using plasma-assisted physical vapor deposition (PVD) on the properties of the 100Cr6 steel. The results of the 100Cr6 steel specimens with and without the coating were compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were used to observe the morphology of the coating surfaces and cross-sections and identify the elements in the coating composition. The contact angle of the investigated surfaces was measured with a tensiometer. Additionally, the effect of the coatings on the tribological properties of lubricated friction pairs was evaluated. Friction tests were performed on a ball-on-disc tribometer under lubrication with cutting fluid. The surface texture of the samples before and after the tribological tests was measured using a confocal profilometer. The results obtained from the tests and analysis allow for the conclusion that the use of DLC coatings a-C:H:W increases the hardness of 100Cr6 steel by three times. The values of the contact angles were indicative of surface hydrophilic characteristics. The tungsten-doped diamond-like coating under friction conditions reduced the coefficient of friction and wear. DLC coatings a-C:H:W lubricated with the cutting fluid improve the mechanical and tribological properties of 100Cr6 steel sliding surfaces under friction.

This paper evaluates surface roughness effects on the properties of a-C:H:Si coatings obtained using plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD). Prior to coating deposition, the surfaces of the samples were subjected to grinding (Ra = 0.25) and then polishing (Ra = 0.05) or sandblasting (Ra = 1.41). Microscopic observations, measurements of thickness, wettability, surface topography, and tribological tests were used to characterize the substrate. The coating microstructure, thickness, and chemical content were investigated using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The geometric structure of the surface was examined using confocal microscopy before and after tribological tests. Tribological studies used a ball-on-disk sliding configuration in reciprocating motion under dry friction and cutting oil lubrication. The values of the contact angles were indicative of surface hydrophilic characteristics. Compared with the sandblasted surfaces, the adhesion strength of the coatings deposited on the polished surfaces was found to be higher. The coatings contributed to the improvement of friction and wear parameters. Under dry friction, a-C:H:Si coating friction coefficients and linear and volumetric wear on the polished surface were reduced compared with the sandblasted surface, respectively, by 10%, 83%, and 85%. In addition, the lubricant contributed to reducing the friction coefficients of the coating applied to the sandblasted sample compared with the polished sample without the coating by about 94%. Microscopic observations of wear traces allowed the determination of wear mechanisms; in the case of Ti13Nb13Zr, it was tribochemical wear through oxidation, while in the case of coatings, scratching and microcutting dominated.

This study presents results on a thermoplastic polymer composite containing 95 wt.% steel powder, processed into samples using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology. Such a high filler loading exceeds the values commonly reported in the literature. Samples were printed with different build orientations (0° and 90°) to evaluate the influence of printing direction on the tensile behavior of the material. Tensile tests were conducted to determine the effect of printing orientation on the composite’s strength. Additionally, surface structure analysis was performed using a contact profilometer, and wettability was evaluated by measuring the contact angle with a tensiometer. Dimensional measurements were also carried out using a digital caliper. The obtained results allowed determination of the relationship between printing orientation and the tensile and surface-related properties of the analyzed composite material.

The paper investigates the effect of CrN and CrN/DLC coatings deposited using the PACVD technique on the tribological and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel. The hardness of the coatings and 316L steel was determined using the instrumental indentation method. Tribological tests were performed on a TRB3 tribometer in a rotating ball-on-disc configuration. Al2O3 balls were used as countersamples. The tests were performed under dry friction conditions and under lubrication with artificial saliva at pH 5.2 at a temperature of 39C simulating inflammation. A scanning microscope was used to measure the thickness of the coatings, and a confocal microscope was used to study the geometric structure of the surface before and after the tribological tests. The wetting angle was measured using an optical tensiometer. The use of CrN and CrN/ DLC coatings reduced the coefficient of friction by 10% and 85%, respectively, for technically dry friction and by 44% and 82% for friction with artificial saliva lubrication. The test results indicate good cooperation of the CrN and CrN/DLC coatings with the lubricant used

3D printing is increasingly being used in many industries and in medicine. As a result, new materials are beingsought and researched, in particular biocompatible materials. Such materials can be used for medical devices,surgical instruments, and orthopaedic devices, as well as in bone surgery, tissue engineering, prosthetics,regenerative medicine, and the creation of drug delivery systems. This paper presents an analysis of the resultsof tribological testing of a biocompatible material used in 3D printing technology. The tests were conductedon a TRB3 tribometer (Anton) in a sphere-disk association. The tests were carried out by making cylindricalspecimens with a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 6 mm from the MED610 material using photo-curing liquidpolymer resin (PJM) technology. The specimens were fabricated in High Quality mode with a layer thicknessof 0.016 mm and with different print directions in the X-Z plane: 0, 45, and 90. The analysis was carriedout under technical dry friction conditions and in the presence of saline solution (0.9% NaCl). The tests wereperformed under fixed test parameters, i.e. speed and loading of the specimens. Ball-disc tests were carried outusing balls (counter-specimen) made of different materials with a diameter of 6 mm. Studies have shown that thedirection of printing affects tribological wear, due to the anisotropic nature of the 3D printing technology. Thelowest average coefficient of friction was obtained for specimens with a print direction of 90.

This paper investigates the effect of the type of movement on the tribological properties of an AlTiN coating applied to a disc made of HS6-5-2C steel. Tribological tests were carried out with a tribometer operating on a ball-disc friction apparatus moving in to-and-from as well as in rotary...