| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C536061/1 |
| Title: |
The Cryogenic Nano Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Bulk and Surface Engineeried Polymeric and Metallic Materials |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dong, Professor H |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Organisation: |
University of Birmingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2005 |
Ends: |
31 March 2010 |
Value (£): |
537,439
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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In the recent past the rapid development of such high technologies as space technology, cryogenic machining, superconductivity and now the booming hydrogen technology has meant that more and more materials need to work under extremely low temperature conditions. For instance stainless steel and titanium are needed where liquid gases (e.g. hydrogen and natural gases) are used for environmentally friendly energy supply and in energy transportation systems at temperatures as low as -196C. Similarly applications in recreational activities like skiing, innovative polymeric materials, especially surface engineered systems with low friction are required for use at more moderate temperatures, circa -50'C.It is known that the mechanical properties of materials are highly temperature dependant and the main technical problem is embrittlement of materials at low temperatures. Recent advances in surface engineering have produced novel stainless steel systems 'S' Phase technology, as well as ceramic coatings for titanium alloys which have excellent friction and wear properties at ambient temperature and in some instances e.g auto engine valves at temperatures as high as 700'C. These surface engineered materials are also promising candidates for cryogenic applications. In the design of such systems involving thin surface layers, knowledge of the nano/micro mechanical and triboligical properties is essential. However no scientific work has been done on the nano impact behaviour and toughness of surface engineered materials in cryogenic environments.Because of the lack of commercially available low temperature instrumentation for tribological and nano mechanical property measurement, researchers often resort to using a home made simple device. For example, one solution is to put the self-made device in a domestic refrigerator. This is for sure to give poor characterisation of surface engineered materials. In addition such simple devices cannot be used to produce accurate basic materials properties such as hardness (H) Young Modulus (E) and H/E for the design and property prediction of advanced surface engineered systems. Therefore it is essential to develop a novel cryo - nanoindentation instrument.In the present research the Joule Thomson (J-T) effect will be employed to provide the basic cryogenic environment. J-T cooling occurs when a nonideal gas expands from a high to low pressure at constant enthalpy. Miniature J.T. refrigerators have been used for several decades, primarily for the cooling of infra detectors for night vision . The recent availability of micro-miniature refrigerators which use minature coolers, further reduced in size by two orders of magnitude, can be regarded as a breakthrough. This has been made possible by the development of photolithographic techniques for the fabrication of the micron size channels needed for the tiny heat exchanges used in these devices. This J.T cooler will be combined with a Peltier thermoelectric module which is a solid state device that operates as a heat pump. This will result in a unique hylerid cryogenic chamber which will be fitted to an existing NanoTest 600 depth sensing instrument at the University of Birmingham thus facilitating nano property testing at temperatures possibly as low as -196C.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bham.ac.uk |