Carbon-based M-A-X compounds and nanostructures

Project coordinator: Ulf Jansson

Centrum Partners:

Ulf Jansson, Ola Wilhelmsson, Erik Lewin, Karin Larsson, Åsa Kassman, Urban Wiklund, Mattias Carlsson (Uppsala)
Lars Hultman, Hans Högberg, Jens Emmerlich, Jenny Frodelius and and Per Eklund (Linköping)

External Partners:

Olle Eriksson (Uppsala University)
Michel Barsoum (Drexel USA)
Gilles Hug (Onera, France)

Scientific goals

Deposit and characterize new thin film MAX-phases in the Ta-Al-C system
Develop new functional carbon-based M-A-X nanocomposites
Further improve the understanding of low-friction M-A-X nanocomposites by tuning of the A-element
Improve the understanding of the tribological behavior MAX-films
Improve the understanding of property relations between nanocomposites films of binary M-X and ternary M-A-X systems.
Test at least one concept for self-adaptive M-A-X films
Initiate theoretical modeling on MA-X nanocomposites with grain/matrix interactions

Technology Transfer goals

Evaluated all new results and if possible filed patents for ideas and concepts with commercial potential
Continue the cooperation with ABB and Impact Coatings
Add at least one new company partner in the project

Research plan:

This project involves studies of new functional materials in M-A-X systems where M is a transition metal, A is an A-element and X=carbon. We intend to search for and characterize, new nanolaminated MAX-phases in sputtered films. By a combination of theoretical modeling and experiments we intend to explain trends in stabilities and properties of carbon-based MAX-phases. Furthemore, our studies will involve functional nanocomposite materials in the M-A-X systems. In particular, this includes new types of coatings based on nc-MC:a-AX composites. Our main applications during the initial stages of this project include contact coatings and designed low-friction coatings. This part of the project will include close co-operation with the tribogroup and also be supported with theoretical modeling (K. Larsson). The formation of graphitic-like surface layers, and properties thereof, will be investigated by using density functional theory. Of a special interest is the energetic stability and functionalisation of the surface layers that lead to low-frictional behavior of the material.