Laser treatment and PVD TiN coating of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Improved adhesion between a coating and the base substrate is necessary for successful engineering applications. This may be achieved through generating intermediate zone between the coating and the substrate. In the present study, laser gas alloying of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was carried out. Nitrogen was introduced co-axially with the laser beam while the workpiece is scanned at a constant speed in the x-direction during the laser heating process. The laser-treated workpieces were then slightly ground and TiN PVD coated. Thickness of the coating layer was limited to 2 μm. The wear tests were conducted on the laser-treated TiN-coated workpieces. To examine the metallurgical changes, microphotographs of workpiece cross-sections were taken. To monitor the nitride compounds in the surface region, XRD was carried out. It was found that three wear stages occur. The steady wear stage is relatively longer for laser-treated TiN-coated workpiece compared to the TiN-coated workpiece.     

Fretting contact study of Ti-6Al-4 V/graphite couples in a dry shaft/bearing contact with thrust: Influence of plasma nitriding of the titanium alloy

Fretting wear or wear by small displacements is defined when two contacting surfaces (first-bodies) are subjected to small amplitude reciprocating motion of micron order. This phenomenon is observed in many mechanical assemblies and it can significantly reduce the contact mechanisms life.This paper reports on the influence of nitriding treatment of the titanium alloy on the fretting tribological behaviour of graphite/Ti-6Al-4 V couple in a dry shaft/bearing contact with thrust. Two contact geometries are investigated: cylinder-in-cylinder and flat/flat. These fretting contacts are subjected to low-amplitude oscillatory movements, with temperature reaching 270 °C.The nitriding treatment for the Ti-6Al-4 V was carried out with a gas mixture N₂/H₂ at moderate temperature (700 °C) for 12 h. In these conditions, the maximum surface hardness was improved by a factor three.In this study, the mechanism of transfer and wear of graphite against Ti-6Al-4 V nitrided or not, have been studied with a scanning electron microscope, an optical microscope and an interferential microscope.The morphological and profile analysis performed on rubbing surfaces showed various aspects of wear: prints, craters, transfer ... and allowed to explain the location, development and origin of the degradation.The friction couples have showed differences between the tests realised with the shafts with or without nitriding and especially at an elevated temperature.We discuss the experimental results and we suggest several possibilities in order to understand some specific tribological behaviour: impact of the third body, of the abrasion, etc.     

超细晶纯钛的微动疲劳特性

利用自行设计的微动疲劳实验夹具装置研究超细晶纯钛在柱面-平面接触下的微动疲劳特性,分析循环应力对其微动疲劳寿命的影响,通过观察接触区磨损和断口形貌,分析其微动损伤机制。结果表明,当法向载荷不变时,超细晶纯钛的微动疲劳寿命随着循环应力的增加而减小,比常规疲劳寿命更小。微动疲劳裂纹于接触区边缘萌生,磨损区破裂严重且附着有磨粒,在磨粒磨损作用下加速了试样的疲劳失效。断口同时呈现出疲劳形貌和微动形貌,形貌从平滑转向粗糙直至断裂,裂纹由小变大,裂纹扩展速率也逐渐增加,且在裂纹扩展区存在二次裂纹；由于受力不均在裂纹扩展区与断裂区之间存在山脊状形貌。     

Effect of TiN/Ti multilayer on fretting fatigue resistance of Ti-811 alloy at elevated temperature

The TiN/Ti multilayer was deposited on Ti-811 alloy surface by magnetron sputtering(MS) technique for improving fretting fatigue(FF) resistance of the titanium alloy at elevated temperature. The element distribution, bonding strength, micro-hardness and ductility of the TiN/Ti multilayer were measured. The effects of the TiN/Ti multilayer on the tribological property and fretting fatigue resistance of the titanium alloy substrate at elevated temperature were compared. The results indicate that by MS technique a TiN/Ti multilayer with high hardness, good ductility and high bearing load capability can be prepared. The MS TiN/Ti multilayer, for its good toughness and tribological behavior, can significantly improve the wear resistance and FF resistance of the Ti-811 alloy at 350 ℃.     

The effects of gas nitriding on fatigue behavior in titanium and titanium alloys

Fatigue behavior has been studied on gas-nitrided smooth specimens of commercial pure titanium, an alpha/beta Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and a beta Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al alloy under rotating bending, and the obtained results were compared with the fatigue behavior of annealed or untreated specimens. It was found that the role of the nitrided layer on fatigue behavior depended on the strength of the materials. Fatigue strength was increased by nitriding in pure titanium, while it was decreased in the Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al alloys. Based on detailed observations of fatigue crack initiation, growth, and fracture surfaces, the improvement and the reduction in fatigue strength by nitriding in pure titanium and both alloys were primarily attributed to enhanced crack initiation resistance and to premature crack initiation of the nitrided layer, respectively.     

Influence of spark plasma sintering on microstructure and wear behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V reinforced with nanosized TiN

Ti-6Al-4V/TiN composites were successfully consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). TiN addition to Ti-6Al-4V was varied from 1% to 5% (volume fraction). The effect of TiN addition on the densification, microstructure, microhardness and wear behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V was studied. Experimental results showed reduction in sintered density of the compacts from 99% to 97% with increase in TiN content. However, an increase in microhardness value was recorded from HV_0.1 389 to HV_0.1 488. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the intensity of diffraction peaks of TiN phase in the composites increased also with formation of small amount of secondary Ti₂N phase. SEM analysis of SPS sintered nanocomposites possessed a refinement of α/β phase microstructure in Ti-6Al-4V with the presence of uniformly dispersed TiN particles. The worn surface of the composite showed improved abrasive wear resistance with non-continuous grooves as compared to the sintered Ti-6Al-4V without TiN addition.     

Effect of nitrogen ion implantation dose on torsional fretting wear behavior of titanium and its alloy

Various doses of nitrogen ions were implanted into the surface of pure titanium, Ti6Al7Nb and Ti6Al4V, by plasma immersion ion implantation. Torsional fretting wear tests involving flat specimens of no-treated and treated titanium, as well as its alloys, against a ZrO₂ ball contact were performed on a torsional fretting wear test rig using a simulated physiological medium of serum solution. The treated surfaces were characterized, and the effect of implantation dose on torsional fretting behavior was discussed in detail. The results showed that the torsional fretting running and damage behavior of titanium and its alloys were strongly dependent on the dose of the implanted nitrogen ions and the angular displacement amplitude. The torsional fretting running boundary moved to smaller angular displacement amplitude, and the central light damage zone decreased, as the ion dose increased. The wear mechanisms of titanium and its alloys were oxidative wear, abrasive wear and delamination, with abrasive wear as the most common mechanism of the ion implantation layers.     

Modelling, production and characterisation of duplex coatings (HVOF and PVD) on Ti-6Al-4V substrate for specific mechanical applications

Titanium and its alloys are extensively used in aerospace and mechanical application because of their high specific strength and high fracture toughness. On the other hand, titanium alloys often show low hardness, very low load bearing capacity and poor resistance to sliding wear, so that surface properties improvement is in many cases recommended, often by PVD processes.Present work deals with design, production and experimental characterisation of a duplex coating for Ti-6Al-4V components, consisting of a thick WC-Co interlayer deposited by High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF), followed by a Ti/TiN multilayer (two layer pairs, including the Ti bond layer) deposited by Cathodic Arc Evaporation (CAE) PVD.Before deposition, a preliminary coating design was carried out, based on finite element simulation of residual stress fields on the PVD coating for a range of configurations of its multilayered structure (Ti buffer layer position and thickness).Morphological properties of the produced coatings (thickness, grain size, surface defect size distribution, roughness) were measured by means of Digital Optical (DOM), Scanning Electron (SEM), Atomic Force (AFM) and Focused Ion Beam (FIB) microscopy techniques.Coatings mechanical properties were investigated by micro-scratch testing, Rockwell C adhesion test, nano-indentation techniques, Vickers/Knoop micro-hardness testing and composite hardness modelling.Results showed that the use of a CAE-PVD multilayer Ti/TiN top layer, whose thicknesses and Ti distribution were suggested by finite element modelling optimisation, leads to a significant increase (45%) in adhesion of PVD coating to the HVOF layer and load bearing capacity of the coated system, compared to monolayered TiN, without reduction in superficial hardness and load bearing capacity.     

钛及其合金的扭动微动摩擦磨损特性

采用新型扭动微动试验机在法向载荷为50、80和110 N及角位移幅值为0.3°~10°的条件下进行TA2和TC4合金与ZrO2对磨球的扭动微动试验。在摩擦动力学行为研究的基础上,结合磨痕形貌微观分析,考察TA2和TC4合金的扭动微动磨损特性。结果表明:可用摩擦扭矩—角位移曲线和摩擦扭矩时变曲线表征合金的扭动微动行为,获得了TA2和TC4合金的扭动微动运行工况微动图,TA2合金的混合区较TC4合金的宽。摩擦扭矩随法向载荷和角位移幅值的增加而增加,在相同试验条件下,TA2合金的摩擦扭矩始终大于TC4合金的。在部分滑移区,损伤轻微;在混合区和滑移区,损伤加剧,扭动微动摩擦磨损机制主要为磨粒磨损、氧化磨损和剥落。     

接触载荷对TC4钛合金微动磨损行为的影响

目的在不同的载荷和位移幅值下,结合微动图研究微动接触状态、滑移状态、损伤体积三者对微动摩擦磨损的影响以及不同微动接触状态和滑移状态下材料的损伤机理,为机械构件的微动磨损防护设计提供一定的理论支持。方法在相对湿度为50%、干摩擦条件下,运用SRV-V摩擦实验机,采用球/平面接触形式研究了TC4钛合金/GCr15钢球摩擦副的微动摩擦磨损行为。实验后,用原子力显微镜、纳米压痕仪、三维光学轮廓仪、场发射扫描电子显微镜及其自带的EDS,测试TC4试样的表面形貌及粗糙度、弹性模量与硬度、磨损体积与截面形貌和显微结构及磨斑、磨屑形貌成分等。结果在较低法向载荷下,完全滑移(GSR)占主导地位。磨粒磨损、粘着磨损、氧化磨损以及疲劳脱层是主要的损伤机理。另一方面,在较高法向载荷下,混合滑移(MSR)、部分滑移(PSR)占主导地位。损伤机制是由于高的应力集中,导致疲劳裂纹。此外,不同的微动运行条件下和材料损伤区域也不相同。完全滑移条件下,损伤主要集中在磨斑中心,而部分滑移条件下,损伤主要集中在磨斑边缘。结论切向摩擦力、微动振幅是影响微动磨损的重要因素。小位移幅值下,磨屑可以减缓接触面钛合金基体材料的微动磨损;而大位移幅值下,磨屑会加剧接触面基体材料的微动磨损。     

添加晶粒细化剂硅对Ti-6Al-4V合金组织和性能的影响(英文)

采用真空感应凝壳熔炼工艺在石墨模中制备Ti-6Al-4V和Ti6Al4V0.5Si两种钛合金。将硅作为一种晶粒细化剂加入到Ti-6Al-4V合金中,考察添加硅对铸态和模锻态Ti-6Al-4V合金组织和性能的影响。铸态合金先在900°C下进行热模锻处理,然后分别进行两种不同的热处理。一种是将模锻样品在1050°C下保温30min,然后水淬以获得细小的层片状组织;另一种是将模锻件在1050°C下保温30min,然后再在800°C下保温30min,以获得粗大的层片状组织。Ti6-Al-4V合金中添加0.5%Si后,铸态合金的晶粒尺寸从627μm减小到337μm,其极限抗拉强度增加约25MPa。具有细小、层片状组织的Ti-6Al-4V0.5Si合金的最大极限抗拉强度为1380MPa,在Hank溶液和NaCl溶液中的腐蚀速度分别为1.35×106和5.78×104mm/a。Ti-6Al-4V合金中添加0.5%Si后,在低滑动速度下的磨损率降低50%,在高滑动速度下的磨损率降低约73%。     

Torsional fretting corrosion behaviours of Ti6Al4V alloys in Hank’s simulated body fluid

ABSTRACT

Torsional fretting corrosion in a physiological medium is one of the main reasons that artificial joints fail. In this study, we carried out experiments on torsional fretting corrosion in Titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) against Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) ceramic balls under 37°C in a Hank’s simulated body fluid. During the tests, we recorded electrochemical corrosion parameters using an electrochemical analysis system in real-time. We analysed the torsional fretting dynamics behaviours, damage mechanisms, and electrochemical corrosion behaviours in detail using the micro-examinations of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), a profilometer, and an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The results showed that the dynamics behaviours strongly depended upon the torsional angular displacement amplitude and the number of cycles. The friction torque increased with increases in the torsional angular displacement amplitude and normal load. We established a running condition fretting map (RCFM), which included three fretting running regimes: a partial slip regime (PSR), a mixed fretting regime (MFR), and a slip regime (SR). We determined that the influences of torsional fretting on electrochemical corrosion behaviours were strongly correlated to the angular displacement amplitude. Under large angular displacement amplitudes, the corrosion of the Ti6Al4V alloys in Hank’s simulated body fluids were accelerated by torsional fretting, especially during the initial stage of the test. However, when the angular displacement amplitude was smaller than 1°, the corrosion potentials and corrosion currents were almost invariable during the entire duration of the test. The damage to the Ti6Al4V alloy was the result of wear and corrosion. The wear mechanisms were attributable to delamination and abrasive wear in the three fretting regimes. We observed almost no damage on the contact centre and only slight scratches and wear on the contact edge in the PSR. In MFR testing, the damage zone extended to the contact centre and the sticking zone (which exhibited no damage) contracted to the contact centre with increases in the number of cycles. Ultimately, in MFR and SR testing, the damage mechanisms were primarily the result of abrasive wear, oxidation wear, tribochemical reactions, adhesion wear, and electrochemical corrosion.     

MICROFRACTOGRAPHY OF NEAR-THRESHOLD FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH

The fracture surface micromorphology in the near-threshold FCG region was studied inLD-10 aluminum alloy and Ti-6Al-4V allov.The SEM examinations reveal that the frac-ture surface of both alloys at low crack growth rates(1×10~(-7)-1×10~(-5)mm/cycle)takes ona cyclic facet appearance.The typical morphologies were either sawtoothedfacets or terracedfacets for LD-10 aluminum alloy and isolated island facets for Ti-6Al-4V alloy.The mech-anism of near-threshold fatigue crack growth is explicated on the basis of experimental ob-servations.     

Impact wear resistance of plasma diffusion treated and duplex treated/PVD-coated Ti-6Al-4V alloy

In this paper dynamic ball-on-plate impact wear testing is utilised to evaluate the intrinsic fatigue strength of the surface of triode plasma diffusion treated, single-layered TiN-, CrAlN-, and WC/C-coated and duplex diffusion treated/PVD-coated Ti-6Al-4V. The test is used to assess the resistance of surfaces to dynamic, high-cycle loading caused by the repeated impact of a cemented carbide ball. The subsequent observation and comparison of the wear craters produced (and their measured volumes) was used to identify which diffusion treatment (or treatment/coating combination) provided the most marked reduction in contact-induced deformation and overall improvement in wear behaviour. A combination of nanoindentation, Knoop hardness microindentation, scratch adhesion, stylus profilometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy test and evaluation methods, was used to characterise the surfaces under investigation. Experimental results revealed that triode plasma diffusion treatments can provide exceptional improvements in the impact fatigue resistance, particularly when the diffusion process has been designed to maximise the resultant hardened case depth. Also, amongst the three coatings tested, PVD CrAlN was found to be the most suitable for applications involving such dynamic impact loading. Finally, the results presented show that an appropriate sequential triode plasma oxidation and nitriding diffusion pretreatment, in combination with a hard and tough PVD ceramic coating, can provide a significant reduction in surface impact wear when compared to either plasma diffusion treatments alone, or PVD ceramic coatings deposited on non-pretreated Ti-alloy substrates.     

Effect of TiN/Ti composite coating and shot peening on fretting fatigue behavior of TC17 alloy at 350 °C

A TiN/Ti composite coating has been prepared on a TC17 titanium alloy substrate by an ion-assisted arc deposition (IAAD) technique with a view to improving the fretting fatigue resistance of the titanium alloy at 350 °C. The composition distribution, bonding strength, micro-hardness, ductility, tribological properties, and fretting fatigue resistance at elevated temperature of the coating have been investigated. The results indicate that the IAAD technique can be used to prepare a TiN/Ti composite coating with high hardness, good ductility, excellent bonding strength, and high load-bearing capability. The TiN/Ti composite coatings can improve the resistance to wear and fretting fatigue of the Ti alloy, as manifested in its excellent tribological behavior at 350 °C. However, the fretting fatigue resistance of the titanium alloy treated by shot peening (SP) combined with IAAD TiN/Ti coating post-treatment was lower than that by IAAD TiN/Ti coating or SP alone, because the compressive residual stress induced by SP was significantly relaxed during coating process and the coating easily cracked and broke off.     

细晶粒钛合金GTAW焊缝成形性能分析

通过常规及细晶粒Ti-6Al-4V钛合金的GTAW试验,对比了不同焊接工艺时两种钛合金的焊缝成形.结果表明,由于细晶钛合金晶粒细化,晶界增多,而使热导率降低,焊接过程中晶界对热量传导的阻碍作用变大,这就使得细晶粒钛合金的焊接参数范围变窄,在很大的电流参数范围内,细晶粒钛合金的焊缝成形性能均比常规钛合金差很多;但是在一个较窄的电流变化围内,细晶钛合金的焊缝成形性能优于常规钛合金,超出此范围,成形较差;并讨论了可能的影响因素;针对文中的试件规格推荐了一个最优的焊接电流参数为47～48 A.

Abstract：

Fine grain titanium alloy is used extensively in aerospace and ailrraft because of its excellent comprehensive properties and outstanding machinability. Fine grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy and common grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy were welded by tungsten iner-gas arc welding( GTAW) respectively. Welding parameters and appearance of two Ti-6Al-4V alloys welded were investigated. The results indicate that the heat conductivity impediment of grain boundary strengthened because of fine grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy grains refinement and grain boundary increasing. Thus, its coefficient of heat conductivity is decreasing . Camparing with appearance of common grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy, when the range of welding current parameter was wide, the appearance of fine grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy was bad. However, when the range of welding current parameters was narrow relatively, the appearance of fine grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy welded was better than the one of common grain Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The possible influencing factors were discussed. At last, according to the specimen size, an optimal welding current parameter(47 ～ 48) A was recommended.     

Ti6Al4V 合金在Saline溶液中的扭动微动磨损

在球/面接触中存在四种微动模式,即切向、径向、转动和扭动微动,在生理介质中扭动微动是人工关节失效的主要原因之一。本文成功建立了一种可在恒温液体介质中实现球/面接触扭动微动的新的试验系统。利用该系统,在37℃的Saline溶液中进行了钛合金/二氧化锆陶瓷球的扭动微动试验,详细讨论了扭动微动的运行行为和损伤机理。结果表明,扭动微动动力学行为在很大程度上取决于扭动角位移振幅和周期数。研究建立了扭动微动运行工况图（RCFM）,包括3个区域,即：部分滑移区（PSR）,混合区（MFR）和完全滑移区（SR）。在部分滑移区,接触中心没有发现任何损伤,接触边缘上只观察到轻微的擦伤和磨损。在混合区,损坏区域从接触边缘向中心扩展,接触中心无损伤,接触边缘区域出现氧化磨损和损伤。在滑移区,整个接触区域均发生损伤,损伤机理主要是磨蚀磨损、氧化磨损、和粘着磨损。     

Hot-salt-stress-corrosion cracking of titanium alloys

The H.S.S.C.C. (Hot-Salt-Stress Corrosion-Cracking) of certain titanium alloys (Ti 5 Al-2.5 Sn; Ti-6 Al-4 V; Ti-8 Al-1 Mo-1 V; Ti-13 V-11 Cr-3 Al) was investigated both by means of exposure experiments with U-bend specimens and by means of electrochemical experiments with a macro-couple model proposed by the authors of this paper. With this model it has been possible to confirm that there is an electrochemical mechanism for this form of corrosion and to perfect a system capable of revealing the incubation period of cracks as a function of environmental, metallurgical and mechanical factors with good reproducibility and accuracy.     

The corrosion and wear behavior of TiN and TiAlN coated AISI 316 L stainless steel

In this study, TiN and TiAlN coatings were deposited on AISI 316 L stainless steel substrates by PVD techniques. The composition and crystalline structure of the as-deposited coatings were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods, respectively. The corrosion resistance studies of TiN-coated and TiAlN-coated samples were carried out in 0.9 wt % NaCl and SBF solutions using the electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization method and the wear behavior was evaluated with the ball-on-disk wear method at a sliding speed rate of 0.3 m/s under 2.5 N load in a dry medium. It was found that both TiN and TiAlN coatings exhibited relatively good corrosion resistance, however, TiAlN coatings showed a better corrosion resistance than TiN coatings. The TiAlN coating contributes positively against corrosion and wear behavior by increasing the surface hardness and by decreasing the friction coefficient of AISI 316 L stainless steel, respectively.     

纯钛和钛合金在人工唾液中的复合微动磨损行为(英文)

在改进后的液压伺服双向微动磨损试验机上实现双向微动。在人工唾液环境中,对TA2纯钛和Ti6Al7Nb合金在6 mm/min的加载速度下以不同接触倾角(45°和60°)和不同最大外加载荷(200~400 N)条件下进行复合微动磨损实验。详细研究循环垂向力和倾斜角的影响。结合动力学分析与微观检测结果显示:磨痕和塑性变形累积呈现强烈的非对称性。在人工唾液环境中和相同实验参数下,Ti6Al7Nb合金比TA2纯钛具有更好的抗磨损性能,并随着倾斜角度的增加和外加载荷的降低,磨损相应减轻。TA2纯钛和Ti6Al7Nb合金在人工唾液环境中的复合微动磨损机制是磨粒磨损、氧化磨损和剥层。