Grantee Research Project Results
Biomimetic Nanostructured Coating for Dry Machining
EPA Contract Number: EPD04044Title: Biomimetic Nanostructured Coating for Dry Machining
Investigators: Jiang, Wenping
Small Business: NanoMech LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , SBIR - Nanotechnology , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The goal of this Phase I research project is to develop a novel adaptive nanostructured coating for cutting tools optimized for dry machining applications. Dry machining eliminates the use of metalworking fluid. Today, it is estimated that more than 100 million gallons of metalworking fluid are used each year in the United States. Some of the fluids in use are oil-based, but even the available oil-free synthetics quickly become contaminated with oils, solvents, and heavy metals, and represent a significant hazardous waste disposal problem.
The current state-of-the-art for combining hard phases and soft phases in coatings for cutting tools usually is in a multilayer configuration in which the soft phases wear out, quickly leaving the hard phases exposed. Thus, the conventional multilayer combination cannot provide efficient lubrication throughout the entire tool life.
NanoMech, LLC, will develop an integrated coating system and an optimized adaptive nanostructured coating for cutting tool applications. The coating system includes electrostatic spray coating, chemical vapor infiltration, and laser texturing. The coating has adaptive features with hard phase being deposited in a dome structure similar to a lotus leaf's surface, and the soft phases residing in the reservoirs surrounded by the domes.
Feasibility of this novel coating philosophy will be proved by synthesizing the nanostructured coating with hard phases (cBN+TiN) and soft phases (MoS2+TiN) following a biomimetic approach and testing the coating's properties. This project, if successful, will greatly benefit the environment, next-generation tools, wear applications, and a number of industries.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, biomimetic nanostructured coating, dry machining, cutting tools, metalworking fluid, hazardous waste disposal, integrated coating system, electrostatic spray coating, chemical vapor infiltration, laser texturing, EPA., Scientific Discipline, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Sustainable Industry/Business, Environmental Chemistry, Technology, New/Innovative technologies, Environmental Engineering, clean technologies, dry machining, green engineering, nanotechnology, environmentally benign spray systems, biomimetic nanostructured coating, metal finishing , coating formulationsProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Biomimetic Nanostructured Coating for Dry MachiningThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.