Outdoor-weathering durability of polyamide composites in firearm-frames via plasma activated ceramic coatings
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T, cilt.43, ss.1847-1865, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 43
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2026.06.153
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1847-1865
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Glass fiber-reinforced polyamide 66 (PA66-GF) composites are widely used in critical applications such as plastic firearm frames owing to their low density, favorable mechanical properties, and relatively high tribological resistance. However, long-term exposure to UV radiation, humidity, and temperature fluctuations can significantly degrade the surface and fiber-matrix interface, thereby reducing performance and service life. As such, increasing the natural weathering resistance of PA66-GF composites is imperative. In this study, it is tested whether a plasma-assisted Ceramic Coating (Cerakote) process improves protection from environmental degradation. The uncoated samples withered after approximately 3 months and showed microcracks, matrix degradation, and oxidation, whereas the coated samples showed no critical microstructural changes over the aging stage. The mechanical characterization demonstrated the coating was advantageous; at 3 months postcoated aging both coated and uncoated samples demonstrated a tensile strength of 80 MPa and 66 MPa respectively, an enhancement of above 20%. At six and nine months of aging, this pattern persisted. In addition, the coated samples exhibited approximately 50% higher wear resistance than the uncoated samples after 3, 6, and 9 months of aging.