CVD diamond coated silicon nitride self-mated systems : tribological behaviour under high loads

Friction and wear behaviour of self-mated chemical vapour deposited (CVD) diamond films coating silicon nitride ceramics (Si3N4) were investigated in ambient atmosphere. The tribological tests were conducted in a reciprocal motion ball-on-flat type tribometer under applied normal loads up to 80 N (~10 GPa). Several characterisation techniques - including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micro-Raman studies - were used in order to assess the quality, stress state and wear resistance of the coatings. In addition, a novel method is presented to estimate the wear coefficient of the diamond coated flat specimens from AFM and optical microscopy (OM) observations of the wear tracks

Wpływ udziału węglika WC gruboziarnistego do drobnoziarnistego na właściwości mechaniczne i zużycie ścierne węglików spiekanych WC-8Co

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczących wpływu ilości drobnoziarnistego węglika wolframu na wzmocnienie metalicznego spoiwa kobaltowego (Co) w węgliku spiekanym WC-8Co. Celem badań jest znalezienie optymalnego udziału węglika gruboziarnistego do drobnoziarnistego dla uzyskania poprawy właściwości mechanicznych i charakterystyk zużyciowych. Dla wszystkich próbek zastosowano jednakowy udział spoiwa, by zbadać jedynie wpływ udziału grubo- do drobnoziarnistego węglika w spieku. W wyniku przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że dla proporcji 8:1 udziału węglika grubo- do drobnoziarnistego uzyskuje się najkorzystniejsze cechy użytkowe, tj.: twardość, udarność i odporność na pękanie. Ponadto poprzez dodanie do kompozytu inhibitorów wzrostu, np. węglika wanadu (VC) lub węglika chromu (Cr3C2), zwiększa się odporność na zużycie ścierne w stosunku do kompozytów bez dodatku inhibitorów.This study performs a comprehensive analysis concerning the amount of fine tungsten carbide (WC) grains needed for the appropriate reinforcement of the cobalt (Co) metallic binder in WC-8Co cemented carbides. The goal is to investigate the balance of coarse-to-fine grain distribution to achieve overall improvement of the material’s mechanical and wear properties. All Samales possessed the same WC-8Co binder content, therefore, allowing the role of grain size distribution to be tested. It was found that a ratio of 8:1 wt% of coarse to ultrafine grain WC yielded an appropriate balance between material hardness, fracture toughness, and rupture strength. Upon adding grain growth inhibitors vanadium carbide (VC) and chromium carbide (Cr3C2), the overall wear resistance is further improved compared to undoped composites when Samales are tested under abrasive wear conditions

Medical students’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards contraceptive use and counselling: a cross-sectional survey

Medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions on contraceptive use and counselling: a cross-sectional survey in Maharashtra, India. Setting: Considerable global maternal mortality and morbidity could be avoided through the use of effective contraception. In India, contraception services are frequently unavailable or there are obstacles to obtaining modern, reversible contraceptives. Participants: A cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 1996 medical students in their fifth year of study at 27 medical colleges in the state of Maharashtra, India. Descriptive and analytical statistics interpreted the survey instrument and significant results were presented with 95% CI. Results: Respondents expressed a desire to provide contraceptive services. A few students had experienced training in abortion care. There were misconceptions about modern contraceptive methods and the impact of sex education. Attitudes towards contraception were mainly positive, premarital counselling was supported and the influence of traditional values and negative provider attitudes on services was recognised. Gender, area of upbringing and type of medical college did not change the results. Conclusions: Despite mostly positive attitudes towards modern contraceptives, sex education and family planning counselling, medical students in Maharashtra have misconceptions about modern methods of contraception. Preservice and in-service training in contraceptive counselling should be implemented in order to increase women's access to evidence-based maternal healthcare services