XADO’s Ceramic-Metal Technology The scientific basis of cermets – the technology used to develop XADO – is not new. It has been researched for decades worldwide. One region that is known internationally for the study and advancements of cermets is the Ukraine, the home of XADO. History The basis for XADO's technology was discovered by Soviet scientists when they were researching deep hole drilling more than 50 years ago. They noticed that the mineral compound of the site was creating a chemical reaction that strengthened and sharpened the drill bit rather than showing the usual dulling action. Upon this discovery, the Soviet government spent years researching cermets, cermet layers and possible applications through esteemed research facilities like the Institute for Problems of Materials Science, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev with several scientific papers published by renowned scientist I.N. Frantsevich. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the technology was made available to the public along with many of their technological discoveries. In that same year, XADO was launched and began work on practical commercial and consumer applications. By 1996, they refined the technology and began the consumer testing and approval process. XADO was introduced to the open market by 1999. The Result of XADO Research The result of years of scientific research is the creation of a ceramic-metal surface through our patented XADO process: |
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| Initial Conditions | ||||
Initially the friction surfaces consist of microscopic relief peaks and recesses, clogged with various products of oil and additive decomposition (Fig.1). During operation, loading brings these surfaces together; microscopic relief peaks rupture the films formed by the oil and additives, make direct contact with one another and increase friction . As a result, these peaks break and contribute some microscopic metal particles to the oil, which also act as contaminants. At peak-breaking points, microscopic flashes occur, which oxidize oils and additives, creating more contaminants (Fig.2). The next friction and contact episode will involve breaking of further micro relief projections, adding more contaminants to the oil. |
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Super finish operation and final grinding of XADO particles by the micro relief projections |
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Compared with the micro relief peaks and recesses XADO particles appear quite large (Fig.3). The micro relief peaks, like teeth of a mill, grind the XADO particles to nano-scale and cause the microscopic fusion and welding processes to intensify, as a large amount of the micro relief peaks get broken by contact with XADO particles. At the peak-breaking points, high temperature (900-1200ºC) flashes result in microscopic metallurgical processes. This action causes a substitution reaction leading to new crystal growth. The remaining metal mass quickly transfers the heat away from the contact zones, allowing crystallization. (Fig.4). Thus, at these micro relief peaks form the first areas of a metal-ceramic protective coating. In the course of grinding, the particles are being ground down to an elementary state, which already possess a definite structure. Later on, during the final grinding, a mechanical removal of contaminants occurs from the micro relief recesses. |
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Clearing the micro relief of the contact spots of the friction surfaces |
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The special structure of XADO particles (now at nano scale from the grinding process) and appropriate additions to the XADO compound are better capable of cleaning the micro relief peaks than available detergents. In the course of cleaning the micro relief peaks, a large quantity of previously packed and lapped contaminants are being dumped into the oil (products of decomposition and deterioration of lubricants). Large quantities of these cantaminents can greatly affect efficiency where there are close tolerances and heavy loads. In heavy contamination cases, the oil should be changed. XADO will clean the micro relief peaks of practically all contaminants (additives, friction modifiers, metal conditioners). Under normal conditions, in about an hour of operation with XADO, you will observe changes in the performance of the mechanism. |
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Work hardening of XADO by tight packing into recesses of the micro relief of friction surfaces |
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Tight contact of XADO particles with each other and the surface layer metal is provided by:
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New crystal growth |
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XADO gives more efficient wear protection than any standard lubricant or additives can provide. The heat release at the surface is dramatically reduced and the oil wedge, though contaminated, is more effective. Due to work-hardening, complete bonding of the XADO nano particles with the metal of the near-surface layer takes place. In the presence of catalysts, energy is produced and new crystals are formed with a more spatial crystal lattice (Fig.6). The resulting bulk of the crystals start to "lift" over the surface of the contact spot and make up for wear. The remaining XADO particles accumulate on the surface of the forming layer and level it off. The thickness of the layers is proportional to the quantity of the particles work-hardened into the relief micro recesses, and to the energy, released due to friction and contact, i.e. is a function of wear (Fig.7). The layer thickness is regulated automatically. As long as the friction and contact energy exists, the layer keeps growing. The growth results in compensation of clearances and reduction of the energy release on the surface. All this leads to termination of the substitution reaction and inhibits further growth. |
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