RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar e avaliar através de técnicas de análise e processamento digital de imagens (PDI) defeitos formados em revestimentos metálicos à base de ligas ferro-cromo e ferro-cobalto, obtidas por aspersão térmica à arco elétrico (AT). Imagens obtidas por microscopia óptica (MO) foram processadas e analisadas utilizando-se o software FIJI (Image J) para quantificação de poros, redes de óxidos e trincas. Também foram feitas medidas de microdureza Vickers (HV) e testes de corrosão segundo a norma ASTM-G48. Foram realizados dois testes de corrosão em meio de cloreto férrico: um expondo-se apenas o revestimento, onde a resistência a corrosão foi avaliada qualitativamente através de imagens de MO e a possível presença de pites de corrosão e outro expondo-se o conjunto revestimento e substrato, neste caso, a resistência a corrosão foi avaliada quantitativamente através de medidas na espessura da camada de revestimento antes e depois da exposição. Foi realizada uma avaliação microestrutural por MO e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os resultados obtidos por MO, MEV e microdureza indicaram uniformidade nas camadas depositadas e porcentagem de defeitos variando entre 3,7% e 4,3% para os revestimentos estudados. Todos mostraram possuir excelente resistência à corrosão em meio de cloreto férrico, que é considerado agressivo aos aços inoxidáveis, exceto para a liga de revestimento à base de ferro-cobalto quando encontrou-se combinada ao cobre e com o substrato também exposto ao meio corrosivo

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to quantify and evaluate, through techniques of analysis and digital image processing (PDI), defects formed in metallic coatings based on ferro-nickel, iron-chromium and cobalt-chromium alloys obtained by thermal arc-electric spraying. Images obtained by optical microscopy (OM) were processed and analyzed using the FIJI software (Image J) for quantification of pores, oxide networks and cracks. Measurements of Vickers microhardness (HV) and corrosion tests according to the ASTM-G48. Two corrosion tests were carried out in ferric chloride medium: one exposing only the coating, where the corrosion resistance was evaluated qualitatively through OM images and the possible presence of corrosion pits and the other exposing the coating and substrate set, in this case, the corrosion resistance was quantitatively evaluated through measurements on the thickness of the coating layer before and after exposure. An assessment of the microstructural morphology by optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) was made. The results obtained by OM and SEM indicated that the coatings showed uniformity throughout the deposited layer and low number of defects (oxides, cracks and porosities). The percentage of defects found varied between 3.7% and 4.3% for the coatings studied. All showed excellent resistance to corrosion in ferric chloride, which is considered aggressive to stainless steels, except for the cobalt-based coating alloy when it was combined with copper and with the substrate also exposed to the corrosive environment.

Thermoelectric power plants that use mineral coal show high wear in heat exchanger due to the action of several damage mechanisms associated with the impact of hard particles from the residue of burnt coal, the ashes. The employment of coatings should be given into consideration particularly for critical components, which are subject to severe erosive conditions is one of the solutions. However, the choice of material will depend on several factors, including the properties of aggressive ashes. This paper aims to characterize ashes generated by a Brazilian coal-based power plant and a FeCrNbNi-based metallic coating obtained by the electric arc spraying process. No trace of sulfur content was found in fly ashes and it was defined that wear is mainly related to the impact and energy of hard particles are the leading causes of degradation in coal-fired boiler equipment. According to the assessment, applied coating showed (5 ± 2)% by volume of pores and cracks, with 1.6% of oxides after the spraying process and hardness 35% greater than ash particles. Preliminary results in field operation suggest that the material showed relatively low wear compared to the original substrate and showed great applicability in controlling material deterioration for this purpose.

Abstract: In the present work we have studied the effects of nitrogen addition on the equilibrium of the volume fraction ratio austenite/ferrite and on the structural properties of weldments produced by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The welded joints in tubes UNS S32707 of hyper-duplex steel were produced using argon and nitrogen gas welding, with nitrogen added in ratios of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5%. Microstructural characterization of this material under the different processing condition was conducted by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, local chemical analysis by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction Vickers microhardness test, and digital image processing. All welding conditions resulted in welded joints with equiaxial grains microstructure containing austenite both at the boundaries and in the ferrite matrix. Microhardness measurements did not show significant variation in relation to the base metal. The use of welding gases with higher percentages of nitrogen resulted in increases in the austenite volume fraction in the order of 39 to 57% when considering the nitrogen content ranging from 1.5 to 5.5%.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar parâmetros relativos a superfícies de titânio submetidas a jateamento com partículas de óxido de alumínio (alumina - Al2O3) por meio de análise e processamento digital de imagem no programa KS 400 (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Alemanha). Amostras de titânio grau 2 foram jateadas com Al2O3 e submetidas a tratamento químico com soluções à base de ácido fluorídrico. Três imagens digitais das superfícies de amostras distintas foram obtidas em microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Análises químicas foram realizadas por espectroscopia por dispersão de energia (EDS). As imagens foram analisadas e processadas no KS 400 para a obtenção de parâmetros digitais e quantificação da fase residual da alumina, tais como área, perímetro das partículas e fator de forma circular. O tratamento mecânico/químico promoveu crateras de até 10 µm em uma superfície homogênea em relação ao controle (tratamento somente mecânico). O ataque químico removeu de maneira significativa a alumina, porém partículas residuais foram identificadas pela EDS. A área total ocupada pela alumina nas amostras experimentais foi de 469,32 (± 284,98) µm². O perímetro médio das partículas foi de 81,61 (± 27,68) µm e a média do fator de forma circular foi 0,60 (± 0,05). A quantificação e caracterização da superfície do titânio são fundamentais para a avaliação da fabricação dos implantes, pois a presença de alumínio residual pode provocar efeitos deletérios na formação tecidual osso/implante.

The aim of this research was to characterize titanium surfaces blasted with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles using the KS 400 digital image processing program. Samples of grade II titanium plates were submitted to blasting processes using particles of Al2O3, and treated with a hydrofluoric acid-based solution. Three digital images from each sample surface were obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy, and half-quantitative chemical analyses were subsequently performed using Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). In addition, parameters related to the alumina phase, such as the concentration level, the area and perimeter of the particles and their circular form factor were measured using KS 400. The mechanical/chemical treatment caused depressions up to 10 µm on homogeneous surfaces. Although the chemical attack significantly removed the alumina phase, residual particles could still be identified by the EDS. The average area occupied by the alumina phase on the samples surfaces was 469.32 (± 284.98) µm², the particle average perimeter was 81.61 (± 27.68) µm, and the mean circular form factor was 0.60 (± 0.05). Characterizing the titanium surface is essential in the evaluation of the material manufacturing process because the presence of residual aluminum particles may have deleterious effects on the formation of the osseous/implant tissue.