Work Package 1: Modelling the materials removal mechanisms in bilayer coatings (WC/DLC-Cr/DLC and Cr/DLC/WC) under simple stress conditions, such as adhesive wear and unidirectional indentation at the nano-scale. This included tasks such as initiating collaborations, performing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and exploring the effect of layer thickness on mechanical properties.
Work Package 2: Performing validating experiments and large-scale simulations of multilayers of Cr/DLC/WC FMC to extract mechanical properties. Tasks included optimizing layer geometry in MD models, designing the first multi-interface of the multilayer, and expanding the model for more interfaces.
Work Package 3: Performing mechanical tests, including nano-indentation and scratch tests, stress analysis, and indentation creep to validate numerical simulations. This involved deposition of concept-based functional multilayer coatings (FMCs) and performing quantitative analysis of their mechanical properties and wear response.
All the goals regarding MD simulation and experimental parts have been achieved, with deliverables such as open access publications and presentations in prominent conferences. Remaining results will be presented in April 2024. The fascinating results of the simulations and experiments have been published in high-ranking journals.
Conferences Attended:
21st International Conference and Exhibition on Materials Science and Engineering (2020): Presentation of optimal bilayer DLC/WC-Cr/DLC design and fabrication principles.
ECCOMAS Conference (2022): Presentation on simple static/dynamic loading modeling of multilayers of Ceramic/DLC-Metal/DLC coatings.
Wear and Friction Conference (2022, Switzerland): Presentation on multilayer coatings.
ITC 2023 (Fukuoka, Japan): Presentation of the first concept-based designed and deposited FMC, the biggest tribology conference globally.
ICMCTF (International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films, 2024): Scheduled presentation in April 2024.
Published Papers:
Paper 1: "Interface Amorphization Controls Maximum Wear Resistance of Multinanolayer DLC/WC Coatings" Published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.3c18218(si apre in una nuova finestra) Paper 2: "Negligible Wear in Hierarchical Multi-layer Coatings Governed by Optimized Design Principle." Submitted to Nature Materials (under review).
These conferences and publications showcase the significant advancements made in the project and contribute to the dissemination of findings within the scientific community.
