Important from exploitation point of view mechanical properties of single-layer, double-layer, and mixed alumina and ceria films and their stainless steel (SS) substrate were investigated by means of nanoindentation experiments. As a result, we obtained the experimental load–displacement curves and calculated the indentation hardness (H_IT) and indentation modulus (E_IT), by means of Oliver and Pharr approximation method. Numerical simulations of the process of nanoindentation by means of finite element method were performed as well, in order to obtain more information about the plastic properties of the investigated films. The obtained results show that the mixed Al₂O₃+Ce₂O₃ film, obtained at dominant concentration of cerium ions in the working electrolyte, has the highest indentation hardness and modulus, followed by the single Ce₂O₃-CeO₂ film, the mixed Al₂O₃+Ce₂O₃ film, obtained at dominant concentration of aluminum ions in the working electrolyte, the double Ce₂O₃-CeO₂/Al₂O₃ layer, and single Al₂O₃ layer.

Hexagonal boron-nitride nanoparticle coating was deposited on AISI 1045 steel surface. The deposition process included a transformation of B-containing thin organic film into nanocrystalline BN using two methods: thermal annealing at 450–850 °C and reactive ion etching in Ar/N₂ plasma. The film structure, phases, and film morphology of deposited nanoparticles of boron nitride on AISI 1045 steel were characterized by XPS, XRD, and EDS. Post-annealing at 450 °C does not lead to the formation of a BN phase in the layer. A non-stoichiometric BN phase with nitrogen deficiency appears at 650 °C. At 850 °C annealing, the formed BN phase is completely stoichiometric. The effects of deposited and incorporated BN on the friction and hardness properties of AISI 1045 steel were also studied. The post-annealing process improved the hardness from 5.35 to 11.4 GPa, showing a pronounced linear temperature dependence. An original approach was adopted to quantify the energy-dependent growth constants based on the indentation load-discharge curves measured on samples treated under different conditions. Those constants describe the rate of the reactions and the type of interdiffusion process characteristic for each material used. This approach can partially fulfill the role of the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry profile, which is an expensive and time-consuming process, mainly when light elements such as boron and nitrogen are used.

The ISO 1996 series harmonize the methods for the description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise from all source types. In addition, the standards contain the guidelines for estimating the uncertainty of environmental noise measuremen...