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High performance
Non-metal self-lubricating composite materials used as supports in marine environment applications
Fabrics produced for marine environment applications are fabrics that can withstand exposure to water, salt, sun, wind and other harsh conditions.
Some of the main characteristics of fabrics for marine environment applications are:
- Waterproof: They prevent water from penetrating the fabric and protect the underlying materials from moisture damage.
- UV-resistant: They block harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun and prevent fading, cracking and deterioration of the fabric and its colors.
- Mold-resistant: They inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the fabric and prevent odors and stains
- Durable: They resist abrasion, tearing and puncturing and can endure frequent use and washing.
- Breathable: They allow air to circulate through the fabric and prevent condensation and overheating
- Saltwater resistance: fabrics used for boat covers, sails, and other nautical products must be resistant to saltwater and marine weather conditions.
- Flexibility: fabrics must be flexible to adapt to the shape of the boat or nautical vehicle.
- Temperature resistance: fabrics must be able to withstand high or low temperatures depending on the application.
- Low shrinkage: fabrics for marine environment applications used must have low shrinkage to ensure dimensional stability after installation and use.
- Tensile strength: fabrics for the nautical sector must be highly resistant to traction to withstand strong tensions and stresses caused by wind, waves, and navigation.
- Ease of maintenance: fabrics must be easy to clean and resistant to stains and chemicals.
- Lightweight: fabrics for the nautical sector must have a low weight to ensure low impact on navigation.
- High dimensional stability: fabrics must maintain their original shape even after being subjected to stresses, tensions, and humidity.
Some examples of fabrics that are suitable for marine environment applications are sailcloth, canvas, vinyl, polyester, acrylic and olefin12. These fabrics are often used for boat covers, awnings, cushions, sails, upholstery and outdoor furniture
Non-metal self-lubricating composite materials are materials that have solid lubricants embedded in a non-metallic matrix, such as polymer, ceramic or carbon. These materials can reduce friction and wear in tribological applications under extreme conditions, such as high temperature, high pressure, high speed, vacuum, radiation and corrosive environment. Some examples of these materials are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites, carbon-carbon composites and alumina-matrix composites.
The fabrication methods of non-metal self-lubricating composite materials vary depending on the type of matrix and solid lubricant. Some common methods are:
Powder metallurgy: This method involves mixing the matrix and solid lubricant powders, compacting them into a desired shape and sintering them at high temperature to form a dense material. This method is suitable for ceramic and carbon matrices and solid lubricants such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), tungsten disulfide (WS2) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN).
Melt processing: This method involves melting the matrix material and adding the solid lubricant particles into the melt, followed by casting, molding or extruding the mixture into a desired shape. This method is suitable for polymer matrices and solid lubricants such as PTFE, graphite, MoS2 and WS2.
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD): This method involves depositing a thin layer of solid lubricant on the surface of the matrix material by using a gas phase reaction. This method is suitable for carbon matrices and solid lubricants such as graphite and diamond-like carbon (DLC).
Surface engineering: This method involves modifying the surface of the matrix material by applying coatings or treatments that enhance its self-lubricating properties. Some examples of surface engineering techniques are plasma spraying, laser cladding, ion implantation and sol-gel coating.