The aim of this research was to investigate the interaction of abrasion and corrosion on rings and liners from marine diesel engines using high sulphur residual fuels. Pure corrosion effects were simulated in a sealed vessel containing emulsified lubricant and acid. Graphite was found to stimulate corrosion of ferrite but phosphide eutectic and iron carbide remained unattacked. A reciprocating test was used to combine the mechanisms of abrasion and corrosion which have been identified as producing normal wear in marine engines. The severity of the mechanisms were balanced to produce surfaces similar to those often encountered over the centre of an engine stroke. Two engine tests, specified to compare the type and extent of wear using high and low sulphur fuels, showed that an increase in corrosion resulting from increased fuel sulphur was not directly responsible for a measured increase in top ring wear rate. Corrosion was thought to dissolve the ferritic phases to release hard phases into the system which intensified abrasion of the surfaces. It was also possible that phosphide eutectic was left at a sufficiently high level above the surface by corrosion of the matrix to cause direct abrasion of the ring. Throughout the experimental work particular emphasis was placed on examination and interpretation of the interaction of corrosion and abrasion in lubricated acidified environments.

Le principe de la projection dynamique par gaz froid ou « cold spray » repose sur la projection de particules de poudres convoyées par un gaz à des vitesses supersoniques vers un substrat. La déformation des particules à l’impact avec ce dernier permet la construction d’un dépôt. Ce procédé permet de conserver la microstructure des particules de poudre et de produire des dépôts peu poreux. Cette dernière caractéristique est essentielle dans le cadre d’applications anticorrosion. L’ambition de la thèse est de comprendre le rôle de la microstructure sur les mécanismes de corrosion marine d’un dépôt à base d’aluminium élaboré par cold spray. Pour atteindre cet objectif sont projetées des poudres à base d’aluminium (aluminium pur, alliages d’aluminium et mélanges avec ajout d’alumine) sur un substrat en acier. Les microstructures des dépôts sont étudiées jusqu’à l’échelle nanométrique (MET). L’adhérence des dépôts est mesurée par l’essai de plot collé. A partir des microstructures sont proposés plusieurs mécanismes de formation de la porosité dans un dépôt cold spray à différentes échelles. Une étude numérique par éléments finis complète cette analyse microstructurale. Grâce aux mesures de la vitesse (DPV-2000) et de la température (caméra thermique) d’impact des particules, les paramètres de nouveaux modèles matériau sont optimisés pour simuler le comportement de l’aluminium et de l’alumine à l’impact. De plus, plusieurs essais de corrosion marine (immersion et brouillard salin) sont conduits. L’étude des microstructures corrodées permettent d’établir différents mécanismes de corrosion du dépôt cold spray. Un lien entre la porosité du dépôt et son comportement en corrosion est notamment montré. Enfin, une première approche du transfert de technologie du procédé à l’échelle industrielle est décrite. / Cold spray process is based on spraying particles carried by a gas at a supersonic speed onto a substrate. Particle deformation during impact with the substrate creates a coating. This spraying process can retain particle microstructure and produce very dense coating. This property is crucial for anticorrosion applications. The aim of this work is to understand the effect of cold spray aluminum coating microstructure on marine corrosion mechanisms. To achieve this goal, several aluminum powders (including pure aluminum, aluminum alloys and mixtures with alumina) are sprayed onto a steel substrate. Coating microstructure is studied down to a nanoscale (TEM). The coating-substrate bond strength is determined using pull-off testing. From a thorough microstructure study, various mechanisms are proposed to explain multiscale porosity formation in coatings. A numerical study using finite elements modeling complements this microstructure analysis. From particle speed (DPV-2000) and temperature (thermal camera) measurements during impact, new material models are optimized to model aluminum and alumina behavior at particle impact. Moreover, corrosion tests are conducted (including immersion and salt spray tests). The study of corroded coating microstructures is used to identify corrosion mechanisms which occur in the coating. A relationship between coating porosity and its corrosion behavior is particularly brought into light. Finally, a first approach to a technological transfer of this process to an industrial application is proposed.