Engineering topics

Wheeler, D. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Wheeler, D. R..

48 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1978

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of radiofrequency-sputtered refractory compound steel interfaces

Radiofrequency sputtering was used to deposit Mo2C, Mo2B5, and MoSi2 coatings on 440C steel substrates. Both sputter etched and preoxidized substrates were used, and the films were deposited with and without a substrate bias of -300 V. The composition of the coatings was measured as a function of depth by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy combined with argon ion etching. In the interfacial region there was evidence that bias produced a graded interface in Mo2B5 but not in Mo2C. Oxides of iron and of all film constituents except carbon were presented in all cases but the iron oxide concentration was higher and the layer thicker on the preoxidized substrates. The film and iron oxides were mixed in the MoSi2 and Mo2C films but layered in the Mo2B5 film. The presence of mixed oxides correlates with enhanced film adhesion.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Composition of RF-sputtered refractory compounds determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

RF-sputtered coatings of CrB2, MoSi2, Mo2C, TiC, and MoS2 were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Data on stoichiometry, impurity content, and chemical bonding were obtained. The influences of sputtering target history, deposition time, RF power level, and substrate bias were studied. Significant deviations from stoichiometry and high oxide levels were related to target outgassing. The effect of substrate bias depended on the particular coating material studied.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Principles of ESCA and application to metal corrosion, coating and lubrication

The principles of ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis) were described by comparison with other spectroscopic techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of ESCA as compared to other surface sensitive analytical techniques were evaluated. The use of ESCA was illustrated by actual applications to oxidation of steel and Rene 41, the chemistry of lubricant additives on steel, and the composition of sputter deposited hard coatings. A bibliography of material that was useful for further study of ESCA was presented and commented upon.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Application of ESCA to the determination of stoichiometry in sputtered coatings and interface regions

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to characterize radiofrequency sputter deposited films of several refractory compounds. Both the bulk film properties such as purity and stoichiometry and the character of the interfacial region between the film and substrate were examined. The materials were CrB2, MoS2, Mo2C, and Mo2B5 deposited on 440C steel. It was found that oxygen from the sputtering target was the primary impurity in all cases. Biasing improves the film purity. The effect of biasing on film stoichiometry is different for each compound. Comparison of the interfacial composition with friction data suggests that adhesion of these films is improved if a region of mixed film and iron oxides can be formed.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of radiofrequency-sputtered titanium, carbide, molybdenum carbide, and titanium boride coatings and their friction properties

Radiofrequency sputtered coatings of titanium carbide, molybdenum carbide and titanium boride were tested as wear resistant coatings on stainless steel in a pin on disk apparatus. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze the sputtered films with regard to both bulk and interface composition in order to obtain maximum film performance. Significant improvements in friction behavior were obtained when properly biased films were deposited on deliberately preoxidized substrates. XPS depth profile data showed thick graded interfaces for bias deposited films even when adherence was poor. The addition of 10 percent hydrogen to the sputtering gas produced coatings with thin poorly adherent interfaces. Results suggest that some of the common practices in the field of sputtering may be detrimental to achieving maximum adherence and optimum composition for these refractory compounds.

Brainard, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of radiofrequency sputtered chromium bromide, molybdenum disilicide, and molybdenum disulfide coatings and their friction properties

Radiofrequency sputtered coatings of CRB2, MOSI2, and MOS2 were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of sputtering target history, deposition time, RF power level, and substrate bias on film composition were studied. Friction tests were run on RF sputtered surfaces of 440-C steel to correlate XPS data with lubricating properties. Significant deviations from stoichiometry and high oxide levels for all three compounds were related to target outgassing. The effect of biasing on these two factors depended on the compound. Improved stoichiometry correlated well with good friction and wear properties.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of surface chemistry of dibenzyl-disulfide on steel under mild and severe wear conditions

Wear tests were performed on 304 stainless steel lubricated with pure mineral oil with and without dibenzyl-disulfide. Both mild and severe wear were observed. The type of wear was distinguished by a marked change in wear rate, friction coefficient, and wear scar appearance. The chemical composition of the wear scar surface was examined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with argon ion sputter etching. In severe wear scars, a sulfide was formed at the expense of the normal oxide layer. In mild wear scars, there were only superficial sulfur compounds, but there was a substantial increase in the oxide thickness.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Effect of adsorbed chlorine and oxygen on the shear strength of iron and copper junctions

Static-friction experiments were performed in ultrahigh vacuum at room temperature on copper, iron, and steel contacts selectively contaminated with oxygen and chlorine in submonolayer amounts. The concentration of the adsorbates was determined with Auger electron spectroscopy and was measured relative to the saturation concentration of oxygen on iron (concentration, 1.0). The coefficient of static friction decreased with increasing adsorbate concentration; however, it was independent of the type of metal and the adsorbate species. The results compared satisfactorily with an extension of the junction growth theory to heterogeneous interfaces. The reduction in interfacial shear strength was measured by the ratio of the shear strength of the interface with an adsorbate concentration of 1.0 and the strength of the clean metal interface. This ratio was about 0.835 for all the systems tested.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Texturing in metals as a result of sliding

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with copper, nickel, iron and cobalt sliding on themselves in air and argon. The resulting wear surfaces were examined by X-ray analysis to determine if surface texturing had occurred as a result of sliding. Results of the investigation indicate that, for the face-centered-cubic metals copper and nickel, a (111) texture develops with the (111) planes tilted 10 deg in the direction of sliding. The body-centered-cubic metal iron exhibited a (110) texture with the (111) direction oriented in the direction of sliding. It also exhibited a 10 deg tilt in the direction of sliding. The environment influenced the results in that the degree of texture observed in argon was less than that seen in air for iron. No texturing was observed for the close-packed-hexagonal metal cobalt. Recrystallization was observed with copper as a result of sliding.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Effect of adsorbed chlorine and oxygen on shear strength of iron and copper junctions

Static friction experiments were performed in ultrahigh vacuum at room temperature on copper, iron, and steel contacts selectively contaminated with oxygen and chlorine in submonolayer amounts. The concentration of the adsorbates was determined with Auger electron spectroscopy and was measured relative to the saturation concentration of oxygen on iron (concentration 1.0). The coefficient of static friction decreased with increasing adsorbate concentration. It was independent of the metal and the adsorbate. The results compared satisfactorily with an extension of the junction growth theory to heterogeneous interfaces. The reduction in interfacial shear strength was measured by the ratio sub a/sub m where sub a is the shear strength of the interface with an adsorbate concentration of 1.0, and sub m is the strength of the clean metal interface. This ratio was 0.835 + or - 0.012 for all the systems tested.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Texturing and residual stress in metals as a result of sliding

Pole figures of the texturing produced by friction in the alloys Cu - 10 at. % Sn, Cu - 10 at. % Si, 440 C stainless steel, and AISI 52100 bearing steel were obtained with an energy-dispersive X-ray diffractometer. While the texturing behavior of these alloys is generally similar to that of pure metals, the 52100 steel and the Cu5Si phase of Cu - 10 at. % Si show no texturing at the loads and speeds used in this experiment. Photographic methods were used in an attempt to measure the uniform residual stress in the wear tracks produced on some pure metals. The stress in copper and iron was, however, below the limit of detectability - about 4.3 x 10 to the 7th power N/sq m (6000 psi). Line broadening under all test conditions in the case of copper and at high load and speed conditions in iron is attributed, at least in part, to the reduction of crystallite size and, perhaps, to nonuniform residual stress, as well.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Texturing in metals as a result of sliding

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with copper, nickel, iron, and cobalt sliding on themselves in air and argon. The resulting wear surfaces were examined with X-ray analysis to determine if surface texturing had occurred as a result of sliding. Results of the investigation indicate that, for the face-centered-cubic metals copper and nickel, a (111) texture develops with the (111) planes tilted 10 deg in the direction of sliding. The body-centered-cubic metal iron exhibited a (110) texture with the (100) direction oriented in the direction of sliding. It also exhibited a 10 deg tilt in the direction of sliding. The environment influenced the results in that the degree of texture observed in argon was less than that seen in air for iron. No texturing was observed for the close-packed-hexagonal metal cobalt. Recrystallization was observed with copper as a result of sliding.

Wheeler, D. R.↗