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08:04
Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
Published on: August 1, 2018
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Bioinspired Wear-Resistant and Ultradurable Functional Gradient Coatings
Zhengzhi Wang1, Kun Wang1, Houbing Huang2
1School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|October 2, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed functional gradient coatings (FGCs) using magnetic actuation to overcome conflicting mechanical property requirements. This new technique enhances both surface performance and interfacial durability for protective coatings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Composite Materials
Background:
- Mechanically protective coatings require stiffness and strength for external force resistance.
- Matching coating and substrate mechanical properties is crucial for structural integrity.
- Simultaneous surface properties and interfacial durability present a conflict in traditional coatings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To circumvent the conflict between surface properties and interfacial durability in protective coatings.
- To develop a novel manufacturing technique for functional gradient coatings (FGCs).
- To create coatings with gradually varying material composition and mechanical properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized magnetic actuation to control the spatial distribution of magnetic-responsive nanoreinforcements in a polymer matrix.
- Engineered FGCs by concentrating hybrid-sized reinforcements at the surface and diminishing them towards the interface.
- Investigated the mechanical properties and interfacial durability of the developed FGCs.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated FGCs with simultaneously high surface hardness, stiffness, and wear-resistance.
- Achieved superb interfacial durability, outperforming homogeneous coatings by over an order of magnitude.
- Validated the concept of FGCs as a mechanically optimized strategy for material performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed manufacturing technique for FGCs effectively resolves the conflict in mechanical property requirements.
- FGCs offer a bioinspired, mechanically optimized approach for enhanced material performance.
- The technique can be extended to create diverse bioinspired heterogeneous materials with tailored mechanical properties.
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