A microporous layer for lowering friction in metal forming processes

Abstract

 The invention is a microporous layer to be used in metal forming processes providing lower friction and improved resistance against galling. The layer is a thin, porous metallic film, which is electrochemically deposited on a metallic substrate, whereafter one of the metals of the deposited film is selectively removed by chemical etching, thereby leaving a micro- or even nanoporous layer on the surface of the substrate, which enhances lubricant entrapment leading to improved lubrication during metal forming processes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microporous layer to be used in low friction metal forming. The invention further relates to a process for producing said microporous layer and the use of the layer as a lubrication carrier for cold forming of metals, particularly for micro-scale components.

Background

[0002] The main objectives of lubrication are to reduce friction and to avoid galling, the latter resulting from i.a. breakdown of the lubricant film, metal-to-metal contact between tool and workpiece and pick-up of workpiece material on the tool surface. A thorough lubrication is essential in metal forming in order to obtain products of satisfactory quality.

[0003] The tribological conditions in cold forming of metals, e.g. processes like upsetting, ironing, wire drawing and rod and can extrusion, range from difficult to extremely severe due to large surface expansion and normal pressure in the tool/workpiece interface combined with elevated tool temperatures. With the exception of rather simple cold forming operations, a successful production therefore requires the use of advanced lubrication systems to reduce friction and avoid galling.

[0004] If these precautions are not met, a direct metal-to-metal contact appears, said contact resulting in very high friction leading to pick-up and galling, which results in a very poor surface quality of the formed components and possibly tool breakdown.

[0005] In metal forming processes, a conversion coating is typically used in order to lower friction and avoid metal-to-metal contact and subsequent galling.

[0006] The function of the conversion coating is dual, i.e. a mechanical function and a chemical function. Due to its topographic nature - with crystal grains of varying orientation and tilt angle - a large surface area is created, said surface area with pockets being suitable for entrapment of lubricant. The conversion coating normally breaks up into separate islands due to surface expansion during the forming operation, and excess lubricant flows into the cracks between these islands, thus preventing metal-to-metal contact between the tool and workpiece surfaces. As regards the second function, many of the lubricants are chosen so as to ensure a chemical reaction with the conversion coating, thus establishing a chemical bonding of the lubricant film to the workpiece surface.

[0007] Lubrication systems for cold forging of steel can be summarized as follows:

Table 1

Process	Deformation	Lubrication
Upsetting	light	none
		Mi + EP + FA
	severe	Ph + SP
Ironing and open-die extrusion	light	Ph + Mi + EP + FA
	severe	Ph + SP
Extrusion	light	Ph + Mi + EP + FA
	severe	Ph + SP
		Ph + MoS2
		Ph + MoS2 + SP

MI: mineral oil   SP: soap   EP: extreme pressure additive Ph: phosphate coating   FA: fatty additives

[0008] The operational sequence for phosphate coating and soap lubrication is cleaning of the workpiece (comprising mechanical cleaning, degreasing, rinsing with cold water, pickling, further rinsing with cold water and subsequent rinsing with warm water containing activators), phosphating, rinsing with cold water, neutralizing, lubrication with soap, MoS₂ etc. and finally drying.

[0009] By the initial reaction, Fe is oxidized, and the H⁺ ions are reduced to hydrogen gas:

         Fe + 2 H₃PO₄ → Fe²⁺ + 2 H₂PO₄^- + H₂

[0010] During this pickling, iron is dissolved from the metal surface, and deposition of zinc phosphate on the surface will start. Since H⁺ ions are used for the initial process, the balance of the solution near the surface is altered in such a way that the primary zinc phosphate available in the solution is transformed into insoluble tertiary zinc phosphate and free phosphoric acid. The tertiary zinc phosphate precipitates from the solution and appears as a crystalline deposit on the surface:

         3 Zn²⁺ + 2 H₂PO₄^- → Zn₃(PO₄)₂ + 4 H⁺

[0011] This crystalline deposit must subsequently be removed from the surface.

[0012] As regards aluminium alloys, the conversion coatings are conventionally selected among zinc phosphate, calcium aluminate and aluminium fluoride coatings. The lubricants are selected among sodium stearate, zinc stearate and MoS₂. The choice of lubricant system for cold forging of aluminium alloys depends on the hardness and the surface expansion of the aluminium alloy.

[0013] A process for producing a solid lubricant co-deposited metal film of a self-supplying type is described in US patent No. 3.787.294. In said process a metallic layer, which is deposited by electroplating, is used to reduce friction. Using co-deposition, particles of graphite fluoride are trapped in the layer. The presence of these particles will reduce friction.

Disclosure of the invention

[0014] Compared to this and other existing methods and products the invention provides lower friction and improved resistance against galling. This fact allows for several benefits such as increased production speed, reduced pick-up and reduced wear on tools implying fewer production stops. Further the invention allows for products with closer tolerances. All these benefits will reduce costs and/or increase the quality of the products.

[0015] The environmental problems accountered when applying conventional conversion coatings, as described above, are also reduced.

[0016] The invention ensures a lubricant film thickness of significantly smaller size than those normally applied, thereby allowing forming of a wide variety of products ranging from micro-scale products to much larger products with closer tolerances.

[0017] Compared to the existing technology a thinner and more uniform lubricating layer is obtained. The layer will continue to work even when very small metallic parts are being processed.

[0018] The aspect of the invention is a novel type of conversion layer in the form of a thin, porous metallic film, which is electrochemically deposited on the workpiece surface. The alloying elements in the film are carefully selected to ensure that a deposit is formed, which consists of fine grains of (two or more) pure metals rather than a solid solution. After the deposition, one of the metals is selectively removed by chemical etching, thereby leaving a micro- or even nanoporous layer on the surface of the workpiece. When a lubricating film subsequently is applied to said surface, the lubricant will be trapped in the pores, whereby an ideal surface for lowering friction by enhancing lubricant entrapment during one or more subsequent metal forming process steps is created.

[0019] More specifically, the invention concerns a microporous layer for metal forming, said layer being (a) a thin metallic film, which has been electrochemically deposited on the surface of a metal substrate, and (b) due to subsequent etching, whereby micro- or nanopores are created in the layer, being capable of capturing a lubricant in these pores, thereby providing an ideal surface for lowering friction in metal forming processes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is an illustration of the set-up for electroplating as described in Example 2,

Figs. 2-4 show the surface of the porous coating on a copper ring, on an aluminium rod and on an aluminium rod (cross section), respectively, after etching,

Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing of a system for sample preparation of a coating with SnZn alloy for test of friction as described in Example 3, and

Fig. 6 illustrates the friction measurement as described in Example 4.

Detailed description of the Invention

[0021] As mentioned above, the invention concerns a layer in the form of a thin, porous metallic film, which is electrochemically deposited on a workpiece surface. Further, the invention concerns a process for producing a microporous layer for lowering friction in metal forming processes on such a metal substrate, wherein the following steps are carried out:

(1) selecting one or more alloys, each consisting of two or more phases capable of providing a thin metallic film consisting of a mixture of fine grains rather than a solid solution,

(2) electrochemically depositing the alloy(s) on the metallic substrate and

(3) selectively removing one of the metals or phases by chemical etching,

leaving a microporous layer on the substrate surface.

[0022] The electrochemically deposited alloy is selected among Feln, SnZn, AgCo, AgBi, AgFe, AgNi, InZn, BiCo, BiCu, BiSn, BiZn, PdCu, PdCo, CoCu, AgCu, AuCu and AuCo. Preferably the electrochemically deposited alloy is SnZn.

[0023] By selecting one or more alloys, each consisting of two or more phases capable of providing a thin metallic film it becomes possible to regulate the number of pores per area unit as well as the depth of the individual pores.

[0024] The chemical etching is carried out by means of a solution dissolving a selected metallic phase, said solution being a concentrated or diluted inorganic acid, organic acid, inorganic base, organic base or mixtures thereof. Preferably the etching is carried out with diluted hydrochloric acid, especially when the electrochemically deposited alloy is SnZn.

[0025] The surface of the porous coating after etching appears from the photographs on the figures 2-4, where

Fig. 2 shows the surface of a copper ring electroplated with SnZn and subsequently etched with HCl;

Fig. 3 shows the surface of an aluminium rod electroplated with SnZn and subsequently etched with HCl and

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the aluminium rod, the surface of which is shown on Fig. 3.

[0026] The invention may be used not only for the treatment of workpieces in macro-scale, but also as a lubrication carrier for cold forming of micro-scale components, such as potentiometer axles for hearing aids. As regards the forming of micro-scale components, the conventional solid film lubrication with phosphate coating and soap lubrication often is inappropriate due to (a) packing of dies with excess lubricant and (b) inability to obtain close tolerances, as film thickness of lubricant is of the same order of magnitude as component detailed being formed. Liquid lubricants are preferred, but because galling problems can be expected, a combination of an ultra-thin, porous metallic film and a liquid lubricant is used to overcome these problems.

[0027] The invention is illustrated in more details in the following examples.

Example 1

[0028] This example describes the electroplating and etching of a copper substrate.

[0029] The copper substrate (a Cu-plate) was degreased cathodically in an alkaline solution and activated (pickled) in a commercial acidic solution. Then the SnZn alloy was electrodeposited on the copper plate at an applied current density of 1A/dm² at a bath temperature of 40 °C with stirring at 400 - 500 rpm in a commercial electrolyte for 12 minutes.

[0030] The commercial electrolyte had the following composition: 0.6 l/l SLOTOLOY ZSN 21; 0.013 l/l FS 20; 0.04 l/l SLOTOLOY ZSN 22; 0.0015 l/l SLOTOLOY ZSN 23; 70 g/l ZnCl₂; 45 g/l KCI, and 30 g/l H₃BO₃.

[0031] The thickness of the electrodeposit was 5 µm, and the Zn content in the deposit may vary from 10 to 40 at.% depending on the agitation.

[0032] A selective etching of the zinc in the SnZn alloy deposit was carried out with a 10% (v/v) HCl solution in deionised water for 0.5; 1; 4 and 24 hours, respectively.

[0033] The etching time may be accelerated by increasing the acid concentration or by using electrochemical etching.

[0034] The geometry of the porous coating of the etched SnZn alloy depends on the composition and the etching conditions. Increasing the temperature will also increase the etching rate. The number and size of holes in the etched SnZn alloy increases with the Zn content. A Zn content of about 10 at.% in the alloy deposit is too low for fabricating a porous coating.

Example 2

[0035] This example presents results obtained by using a friction test known as the ring compression test.

[0036] In the ring compression test, friction is measured by the relationship between height reduction and decrease of inner diameter of a ring of specified geometry being upset between planar anvils. In the test carried out for this example, rings of electrolytically pure copper with well specified geometry, height:inner diameter:outer diameter ratio of 2:3:6, were used. Combinations of rings with and without said coating were tested in combination with a lubricant.

[0037] The Zn content decreases with increasing agitation speed in the cell, as shown in the table 2 below. The composition varies depending on the position of the sample. Also the geometry of the sample may give rise to this problem.

Table 2: Zn content for various positions (up, down, right, left) of samples

	Up	Right	Down	Left
600 rpm	1.7	4.9	14.6	16.0
500 rpm	2.3	1.8	13.5	1.2
400 rpm	22.1	21.6	46.0	31.4
300 rpm	38.5	25.2	53.5	39.2

[0038] For the electroplating with SnZn a 1 I beaker was used as electrochemical cell as shown in Fig. 1. Providing the test specimens, i.e. the copper rings, with said coating has significant impact on the friction between anvils and plane surfaces of test specimens, as it appears from table 3. In order to obtain identical coatings on both sides, the copper ring was located in the centre between two tin anodes. Agitation was conducted by means of a magnetic stirrer.

[0039] The friction of a sample coated with a lubricant and 40 at.% Zn (400 rpm; 10 mA/cm²) and subsequently etched with 10 % HCl for 4 hours was measured. As reference an untreated copper ring was used. The surface of the porous coating after etching is shown on the accompanying photograph (Fig. 2).

[0040] Using ZnS paste on as-received as well as on coated rings the ring test gave a friction factor of f = 0.25 in the former case and f = 0.16 in the latter case, i.e. the porous layer caused a decrease in friction of 36%.

[0041] Three combinations of said coating and a lubricant were applied. Table 3 below shows the combinations and a qualification of friction between anvils and plane sides of test specimens, ranked with lower friction being preferable.

Table 3

Coating	Lubricant	Ranked results	Friction
none (reference)	applied	worst	highest
coated	not applied	better	lower
coated	applied	best	lowest

[0042] As can be seen from the table above, application of lubricant in combination with said coating results in the lowest friction between test specimen and anvils.

Example 3

[0043] An alternative method for friction measurement is described in this example as well as in the next example.

[0044] For this friction test a wire with a diameter of 1.88 mm was provided. To make a homogeneous composition a rotating plate with attached test samples was installed in a system of SnZn alloy electrodeposition for friction test as shown in Fig. 5. Ten wires, each with a diameter of 1.88 mm and a length of 13 cm, were attached to the rotating plate.

[0045] The problem of heterogeneous composition could be improved with this system compared to conventional systems. The Zn contents of the deposits appeared to be much lower (from 1.6 ± 0.2 to 3.7 ± 0.8 at.%), regardless of the agitation speed. Then the amount of tin concentrate FS 20 was decreased, while the amount of ZnCl₂ was increased. Now the electrolyte had the following composition: 0.6 I/I SLOTOLOY ZSN 21; 0.009 I/I FS 20; 0.04 I/I SLOTOLOY ZSN 22; 0.0015 I/I SLOTOLOY ZSN 23; 98 g/l ZnCl₂; 45 g/l KCI, and 30 g/l H₃BO₃. The current density was 1 A/dm² and the temperature 40 °C.

[0046] The compositions of the deposits for the modified electrolyte were analyzed, both at the top and at the bottom of the samples. The composition distribution was homogeneous.

Table 4: Zn content (at.%) in deposits for modified electrolyte

	1 (top)	2 (top)	3 (bottom)	4 (bottom)
800 rpm	30.9	30.2	27.2	31.1
500 rpm	35.0	34.8	34.0	36.7
400 rpm	36.0	35.3
300 rpm	49.5	43.3	44.2	44.9

[0047] The geometry of the porous coating of the etched SnZn alloy is different from one deposited from the previous system: It is like a three-dimensional network (and may affect the friction).

Example 4

[0048] The measurement of the friction is based on the fact that because the difference in length between h₁ and h₂ is larger, the sample has a higher friction, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0049] In conclusion it has been shown that the porous surface geometry of an etched SnZn alloy deposit is determined by the composition of the alloy. About 40 at.% Zn appears to be reasonable. Further, it is possible to control the composition by changing the agitation in the cell (but it is difficult to obtain identical and reproducible compositions). The friction is improved with a porous coating of etched SnZn alloy with 40 at.% Zn.

Claims

1. A microporous layer for lowering friction in metal forming processes, said layer being

- a thin metallic film, which has been electrochemically deposited on the surface of a metal substrate, and

- capable of capturing a lubricant film in its pores,

thereby providing an ideal surface for said metal forming.

2. A process for producing a microporous layer for lowering friction in metal forming processes according to claim 1 on a metal substrate, wherein the following steps are carried out:

(1) selecting one or more alloys, each consisting of two or more phases capable of providing a thin metallic film consisting of a mixture of fine grains rather than a solid solution,

(2) electrochemically depositing the alloy(s) on the metallic substrate and

(3) selectively removing one of the metals or phases by chemical etching,

leaving a microporous layer on the substrate surface.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the electrochemically deposited alloy is selected among Feln, SnZn, AgCo, AgBi, AgFe, AgNi, InZn, BiCo, BiCu, BiSn, BiZn, PdCu, PdCo, CoCu, AgCu, AuCu and AuCo.

4. The process according to claim 3, wherein the electrochemically deposited alloy is SnZn.

5. The process according to any of the claims 2 - 4, wherein the chemical etching is carried out by means of a solution dissolving a selected metallic phase, said solution being a concentrated or diluted inorganic acid, organic acid, inorganic base, organic base or mixtures thereof.

6. The process according to any of the claims 2 - 5, wherein the chemical etching of the Zn phase is carried out with diluted hydrochloric acid.

7. The use of a microporous layer according to claim 1 as a lubrication carrier for cold forming of metals.

8. The use of a microporous conversion layer according to claim 7 as a lubrication carrier for cold forming of metallic micro-scale components.

9. The use according to claim 7 or 8 for the electroplating of a copper substrate, wherein the electrochemically deposited alloy is SnZn and the chemical etching of the Zn phase is carried out with diluted hydrochloric acid.

Drawing