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The oxidation behaviour of a wrought Ni‐Mo‐Cr alloy was studied under thermal cyclic conditions in air at 800°C for exposure periods of up to 1,000 h. The morphologies, microstructures and compositions of the oxide scales were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Oxidation kinetics were determined by weight gain measurements. Results show that steady‐state oxidation was achieved within 1 h of exposure while partial scale spalling was observed after 400 h. The alloy grain boundaries intersecting the alloy surface showed preferential oxidation. They became depleted in Ni and enriched in Mo and Cr during transient oxidation. The scale initially formed at the surface was NiO which grew outwardly and laterally to cover the entire alloy. Upon continued oxidation, the scale developed into an outer NiO layer and an inner Cr₂O₃ layer while the presence of NiMoO₄ was also observed within the scale.

The purpose of this paper is to study the microstructure and the high-temperature tribology behavior of a high-speed steel (HSS) roller material with boron as the main alloy element under different heat treatments, aiming to provide some theoretical references for its engineering application.

The samples of high boron HSS were quenched at 900°C, 1,000°C, 1,050°C and 1,150°C. The microstructure, composition and phase composition of this new HSS were analyzed by OM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometer. The surface hardness and the tribology behavior under high temperature were measured by Rockwell hardness tester and the high-temperature friction and wear tester. The wear morphology was observed by SEM.

The high-temperature friction coefficient and the relative wear rate of the high boron HSS decrease first, then increase with the rise of the quenching temperature. When the quenching temperature is 1,050°C, both the friction coefficient (0.425) and the relative wear rate (79 per cent) are the smallest. Under the high-temperature friction environment, the high boron HSS mainly includes oxidation wear, adhesive wear and abrasive wear. The effect of abrasive wear is weakened gradually with the rise of the quenching temperature, and the high-temperature wear resistance is improved significantly. Compared with the traditional roll materials, the service life of the new high boron HSS is greatly improved. It is an ideal substitute product for the high chromium cast iron roll.

The boron element replaces other precious metals in high boron HSS, which has the advantage of low production cost, and it has a wide application in the field of roll materials. In this paper, the microstructure, the transformation of hard phases and the high-temperature tribology behavior of this new high boron HSS under different heat treatments were studied, aiming to provide some theoretical references for its engineering application.

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a multi-criteria decision-making model for use by maintenance managers to consider before making a decision on outsourcing.

Thirty-eight factors were identified for outsourcing maintenance services. These factors were grouped under six categories, namely: “strategic”, “management”, “technological”, “quality”, “economic” and “function characteristics”. The Analytic Hierarchy Process, as a multi-criteria decision-making model, was introduced and applied as an approach for maintenance managers in Saudi Arabian universities to consider before making a decision on outsourcing. A case study on the outsourcing decision of maintenance services of air-conditioning systems was carried out to apply the developed model.

Data analysis indicated that all outsourcing decision groups of factors have almost equal weight, with the “quality” group of factors having the highest weight and the “technological” group of factors having the least weight. Further, the analysis indicated, in general, that the recommended decision for the maintenance managers is to outsource. However, an application of the developed model through a case study on the outsourcing of maintenance services of air-conditioning systems showed that the recommended action is not to outsource.

The presented approach in this paper could be of practical benefit to maintenance managers in their decision making of whether or not to outsource maintenance services. The factors in the model were identified through a literature survey of research carried out in different countries. Therefore, the model could be applied in different settings, depending on the relative weight of the factors by the users.