Use of a Laser/TIG Combination for Surface Modification of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

The surface modification of materials such as Ti-6Al-4V is necessary to improve their wear resistant properties for use in tribological applications, in this paper it is shown that a laser with low power and tungsten inert gas (TIG) can be combined together for surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and when performed in a controlled atmosphere of pure nitrogen or a mixture of nitrogen and argon, can produce a wear-resistant surface alloy. Compared with laser processing, a cheaper surface modification process has been developed involving a shorter processing time, which is free of stringent requirements such as a vacuum system.     

Corrosion behavior of PIRAC nitrided Ti-6Al-4V surgical alloy

Hard titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were obtained on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy using an original PIRAC nitriding method, based on annealing the samples under a low pressure of monatomic nitrogen created by selective diffusion of N from the atmosphere. PIRAC nitrided samples exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in Ringer's solution in both potentiodynamic and potentiostatic tests. The anodic current and metal ion release rate of PIRAC nitrided Ti-6Al-4V at the typical corrosion potential values were significantly lower than those of the untreated alloy. This, together with the excellent adhesion and high wear resistance of the TiN coatings, makes PIRAC nitriding an attractive surface treatment for Ti-6Al-4V alloy surgical implants.     

超塑性变形Ti-6Al-4V合金中接近重位点阵取向α晶界滑动机制的TEM研究

用 TEM 研究了超塑性变形 Ti_(-6)Al_(-4)V 合金中接近重位点阵取向(near-CSL)的α晶界,发现在部分晶界上晶界位错(GBD:)的衍衬象变得漫散,但仍然保持线状特征;某些 GBD 有局部的分解和束集反应;在α晶界与晶内亚结构的交界处,GBS 通过束集反应形成新的组态;构成晶界坎的各个界面上,GBD 排列的位向各不相同,晶界坎可向晶内发射点阵位错。     

Laser Surface Modification of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy with Silicon Carbide

We show that surface laser modification through a coating containing SiC powder is an efficient method for enhancing the wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy. The laser melting of SiC particles enriches the pool of substrate melt with silicon and carbon. In the course of crystallization, primary dendrites, which are identified as TiC, are formed at first. After fast cooling to room temperature, a multiphase structure consisting of Ti₅Si₃ and TiSi₂ silicides and ductile -martensite is formed in the interdendritic space. Such a composite structure of the surface layer has a microhardness of 5–6 GPa and guarantees a sharp enhancement of the wear resistance under conditions of dry sliding friction as compared with the hardened-and-aged structure of this alloy.     

Improving fatigue performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy via ultrasonic surface rolling process

The effect of a gradient nanostructured (GNS) surface layer obtained by ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) on the fatigue behavior of Ti-6Al-4 V alloy has been studied in this paper. Microstructure, surface topography, surface roughness and residual stress measurements were performed to characterize the surface under different conditions. Rotating bending fatigue tests were carried out to evaluate the fatigue behavior of different treatments. The results present a remarkable fatigue performance enhancement for the Ti-6Al-4 V alloy with a GNS surface layer obtained by application of USRP with respect to the untreated condition, notwithstanding its considerable surface roughness due to severe ultrasonic impacts and extrusions. Mechanical surface polishing treatment further enhances the beneficial effects of USRP on the fatigue performance. The significantly improved fatigue performance can mainly be ascribed to the compressive residual stress. Simultaneously, the GNS surface layer and surface work hardening have a synergistic effect that accompanies the effect of compressive residual stress.     

Characterization and tribological evaluation of duplex treatment by depositing carbon nitride films on plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V

Carbon nitride (CN_X) films (with N/C ratio of 0.5) were deposited on both untreated and plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V substrates by D.C. magnetron sputtering using a graphite target in nitrogen plasma. TEM and XPS analysis revealed the formation of both amorphous CN_X structure and crystalline -C₃N₄ phases in the deposited coatings. Nano-indentation tests showed that the film hardness was about 18.36 GPa. Both the scratch tests and indentation tests showed that compared with CN_X film deposited directly on Ti-6Al-4V, the load bearing capacity of CN_X film deposited on plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V was improved dramatically. Ball-on-disk wear tests under both dry sliding and lubricated conditions (with simulated body fluids) were performed to evaluate the friction and wear characteristics of the deposited coatings. Results showed that under both dry and lubricated conditions, the duplex treated system (i.e., with CN_X film deposited on plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V substrate) was more effective in maintaining a favorable low and stable coefficient of friction and improving wear resistance than both individual plasma nitriding and CN_X films on Ti-6Al-4V substrate. Under dry sliding conditions, the generated wear debris of spalled films were accumulated on the wear track, mechanically alloyed and graphitized, thus significantly reducing the coefficient of friction and preventing wear of the substrate. However, under lubricated conditions, due to the flowing of the fluids, the lubricating wear debris was taken away by the fluids, and therefore, the direct contact of two original surfaces resulted in high coefficient of friction and extensive abrasive wear of the substrate for CN_X films deposited on Ti-6Al-4V substrate. Also when there was some small-area spallation of CN_X films, the fluids could seep into the interface between the film and substrate, thus degrading the interfacial adhesion and resulting in a large area spallation.     

Preparation method of low-oxygen Ti-6Al-4V alloy by solid state re-deoxidation using calcium

The oxygen concentration in commercial Ti-6Al-4?V alloys was reduced to less than 400?ppm in this study by the method of solid state re-deoxidation, using calcium as a reductant. The concentration of oxygen in the deoxidised Ti-6Al-4?V alloy was 630?ppm at the optimum deoxidation temperature of 1000°C. When the degree of vacuum was increased and re-deoxidation was carried out, the oxygen concentration decreased to 355?ppm. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a Ti-6Al-4?V alloy with an oxygen concentration of less than 400?ppm by using the solid state re-deoxidation method at a high degree of vacuum of 1.5?×?10-6 Torr.     

Empirical approach to develop a multilayer icebonded abrasive polishing tool for ultrafine finishing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

This paper covers the development of a multilayer icebonded abrasive polishing (IBAP) tool for multistage polishing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens based on a systematic study that determined the number of layers, thickness of each layer, and the type, size and concentration of abrasives in each layer. Based on this study, a three-layered IBAP tool with the bottom layer consisting of soft aluminum oxide abrasives of 3?µm size with 5% concentration, the middle layer with moderately hard silicon carbide abrasives of 8?µm size with 10% concentration and the top layer with hard boron carbide abrasives of 15?µm size with 30% concentration was formulated for ultrafine finishing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimen in a single setup. The performance of the three-layered IBAP tool assessed in terms of finish and morphology over the work surface showed 81% improvement in surface finish, showing its effectiveness over a single-layered IBAP tool. Polishing studies have clearly demonstrated the generation of ultrafine surfaces, yielding a finish of 37?nm while the morphological studies on the polished surface have shown a nearly scratch-free surface on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy.     

The microstructural observation and wettability study of brazing Ti-6Al-4V and 304 stainless steel using three braze alloys

Both Ti-6Al-4V and 304 stainless steels (304SS) are good engineering alloys and widely used in industry due to their excellent mechanical properties as well as corrosion resistance. Well-developed joining process can not only promote the application of these alloys, but also can provide designers versatile choices of alloys. Brazing is one of the most popular methods in joining dissimilar alloys. In this study, three-selected silver base filler alloys, including Braze 580, BAg-8 and Ticusil®, are used in vacuum brazing of 304SS and Ti-6Al-4V. Based upon dynamic sessile drop test, Braze 580 has the lowest brazing temperature of 840°C, in contrast to 870°C for BAg-8 and 900°C for Ticusil® braze alloy. No phase separation is observed for all brazes on 304SS substrate. However, phase separation is observed for all specimens brazed above 860°C on Ti-6Al-4V substrate. The continuous reaction layer between Braze 580 and 304SS is mainly comprised of Ti, Fe and Cu. The thickness of reaction layer at Braze 580/Ti-6Al-4V interface is much larger than that at Braze 580/304SS interface. Meanwhile, a continuous Cu-Sn-Ti ternary intermetallic compound is found at the Braze 580/Ti-6Al-4V interface. Both Ticusil® and BAg-8 brazed joint have similar interfacial microstructures. Different from the Braze 580 specimen, there is a thick Cu-Ti-Fe reaction layer in both BAg-8/304SS and Ticusil®/304SS interfaces. The formation of Cu-Ti-Fe interfacial layer can prohibit wetting of BAg-8 and Ticusil® molten brazes on 304SS substrate. Meanwhile, continuous Ti₂Cu and TiCu layers are observed in Ti-6Al-4V/BAg-8 and Ti-6Al-4V/Ticusil® interfaces.     

TI-6Al-4V合金置氢-除氢组织与力学性能

为研究除氢处理对置氢钛合金组织与性能的影响,对Ti-6Al-4V合金在不同参数条件下进行了置氢与除氢处理,采用光学显微镜分析了置氢-除氢处理过程中Ti-6Al-4V合金微观组织的演化规律,通过室温拉伸试验研究了置氢-除氢处理后Ti-6Al-4V合金的力学性能,探讨了Ti-6Al-4V合金置氢-除氢组织与力学性能之间的相...     

Effect of combined plasma-carburizing and deep-rolling on notch fatigue property of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

This paper discusses the effects of a combination of plasma-carburizing and deep-rolling on notch fatigue properties of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Circumferentially V-notched cylindrical Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens were plasma-carburized at a relatively low temperature for the improvement of wear resistance, and then, deep-rolled at the notch root for inducing compressive residual stress. Scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, laser scanning microscopy, surface roughness tester, and micro-hardness tester were used to characterize the modified surface layer at the notch root. Axial loading fatigue tests (R = 0.1) were performed using a servo-hydraulic testing machine in a laboratory atmosphere at an ambient temperature. The notch fatigue life of the specimen was reduced by plasma-carburizing due to the brittleness caused by the higher hardness in addition to the disappearance of compressive residual stress on the notched surface, but remarkably improved by the subsequent deep-rolling. The surface layer containing the compressive residual stress and the work hardening induced by deep-rolling effectively prevented and delayed the fatigue crack initiation and propagation of deep-rolled carburized specimen.     

Fibroblast Adhesion and Proliferation on a New β Type Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr Alloy for Biomedical Application

Cell attachment and spreading on Ti-based alloy surfaces is a major parameter in implant technology. Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy is a new β type Ti alloy developed for biomedical application. This alloy has low modulus and high strength, which indicates that it can be used for medical purposes such as surgical implants. To evaluate the biocompatibility and effects of the surface morphology of Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr on the cellular behaviour, the adhesion and proliferation of rat gingival fibroblasts were studied with substrates having different surface roughness and the results were also compared with commercial pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V. The results indicate that fibroblast shows similar adhesion and proliferation on the smooth surfaces of commercial pure titanium （Cp Ti）, Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, and Ti-6Al-4V, suggesting that Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr has similar biocompatibility to Cp Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. The fibroblast adhesion and spreading was lower on rough surfaces of Cp Ti, Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr and Ti-6Al-4V than on smooth ones. Surface roughness appeared to be a dominant factor that determines the fibroblast adhesion and proliferation.     

Ti-6Al-4V合金表面超声振动滚压强化研究

采用超声振动滚压加工技术对Ti-6Al-4V合金表面进行处理,探究该项技术对Ti-6Al-4V合金表面质量的影响。通过对该工艺加工前后的Ti-6Al-4V合金进行表面粗糙度参数、XRD图谱、截面微观形貌、表层残余应力及显微硬度的对比分析,结果表明:经该工艺处理后的合金表面各项粗糙度参数皆有明显降低;加工后的合金表面XRD图谱的衍射峰减弱且宽化,衍射角向高角度方向偏移;加工后的合金表层β相组织相较加工前明显细化,且随着深度增加β相组织逐渐增大;在距离表面约50μm位置的残余应力值最大可达到-967 MPa;加工后的合金表面显微硬度可达到421HV,且在0~140μm的深度范围内,显微硬度随着深度的增加逐渐减小至与基体硬度一致。经超声振动滚压加工后的Ti-6Al-4V合金表面质量显著提高,有利于提高其零部件的使用性能。     

Fibroblast Adhesion and Proliferation on a New β Type Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr Alloy for Biomedical Application

Cell attachment and spreading on Ti-based alloy surfaces is a major parameter in implant technology. Ti39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy is a new β type Ti alloy developed for biomedical application. This alloy has low modulus and high strength, which indicates that it can be used for medical purposes such as surgical implants.To evaluate the biocompatibility and effects of the surface morphology of Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr on the cellular behaviour, the adhesion and proliferation of rat gingival fibroblasts were studied with substrates having different surface roughness and the results were also compared with commercial pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V. The results indicate that fibroblast shows similar adhesion and proliferation on the smooth surfaces of commercial pure titanium (Cp Ti), Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, and Ti-6Al-4V, suggesting that Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr has similar biocompatibility to Cp Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. The fibroblast adhesion and spreading was lower on rough surfaces of Cp Ti, Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr and Ti-6Al-4V than on smooth ones. Surface roughness appeared to be a dominant factor that determines the fibroblast adhesion and proliferation.     

Investigation on tool wear and tool life prediction in micro-milling of Ti-6Al-4V

Short tool life and rapid tool wear in micromachining of hard-to-machine materials remain a barrier to the process being economically viable. In this study, standard procedures and conditions set by the ISO for tool life testing in milling were used to analyze the wear of tungsten carbide micro-end-milling tools through slot milling conducted on titanium alloy Ti-6 Al-4 V. Tool wear was characterized by flank wear rate,cutting-edge radius change, and tool volumetric change. The effect of machining parameters, such as cutting speed and feedrate, on tool wear was investigated with reference to surface roughness and geometric accuracy of the finished workpiece. Experimental data indicate different modes of tool wear throughout machining, where nonuniform flank wear and abrasive wear are the dominant wear modes. High cutting speed and low feedrate can reduce the tool wear rate and improve the tool life during micromachining.However, the low feedrate enhances the plowing effect on the cutting zone, resulting in reduced surface quality and leading to burr formation and premature tool failure. This study concludes with a proposal of tool rejection criteria for micro-milling of Ti-6 Al-4 V.     

应用于医学的ECAP处理Ti及Ti合金的研究现状

综述了目前国际上应用于医用生物材料的等通道挤压(Equal-channel angular pressure,ECAP)处理工业纯钛和钛合金的研究进展,介绍了等通道挤压技术的最新进展,ECAP处理工业纯钛的微观组织演变,ECAP处理后Ti的强度、抗疲劳性、耐腐蚀性和生物活性的改善以及ECAP处理Ti-6Al-4V的超塑性和超塑变形后的微观组织,最后展望了未来的研究方向。     

Notch effects on high-cycle fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy at cryogenic temperatures

Notch effects on the high-cycle fatigue properties of the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy at cryogenic temperatures were investigated. Also, the high-cycle fatigue data were compared with the rolled Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI alloy. The one million cycles fatigue strength (FS) of the smooth specimen for the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy increased with a decrease of test temperature. However, the FS of each notched specimen at 4 K were lower than those at 77 K. On the other hand, the FS of the smooth and the notched specimens for the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy at 4 K were lower than those for the rolled Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI alloy. This is considered to be the early initiation of the fatigue crack in the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy compares with the forged Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI.     

钛合金激光表面处理研究

本文采用5KWTEACO_2激光器,对 Ti—6Al—4V 钛合金进行表面合金化处理,实验结果表明,经激光辐照后,材料表层及次表层组织结构产生变化,与基体组织大不相同,其硬度有很大提高,由 Hv250提高到 Hv800～900。磨损试验表明,经激光处理的试件,其耐磨性提高2～3倍。扫描电镜分析表明:处理区域由精细枝晶区,等轴细晶区和马氏体区组成,表层硬度的提高及耐磨性的改善与表层组织形态、晶粒细化及硬质点的弥散分布有关。     

Surface nanocrystallization of Ti-6Al-4V alloy: microstructural and mechanical characterization

In this study, microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, before and after the SMA treatment (SMAT) as well as the duplex SMAT/Nitriding process at different treatment conditions, were investigated in order to deepen the knowledge of these properties for biomedical devices. For that purpose, tribological (wear resistance, coefficient of friction) and mechanical (Vickers microhardness) tests were performed. To carry out the microstructural and surface topographical characterization of the samples, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the 3D-SEM reconstruction from stereoscopic images have been used. By means of profiles deduced from the 3D images, the surface roughness has been calculated. The obtained results allowed to find an interesting SMAT condition which, followed by nitriding at low temperature, can greatly improve tribological and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. It was also shown from SEM characterization and the original method of 3D-SEM reconstruction, that SMAT can reduce the machined grooves and consequently the roughness of the samples decreases. Moreover, we demonstrated, for the first time, that instead of usual etching method, the ionic polishing allowed to reveal the grains, the grain boundaries and the twins as well as the surface nanocrystalline layer generated by SMAT. Thus, the thickness of the SMATed layer decreases with the nitriding temperature, whereas the surface grain size increases.     

Nanostructured severe plastic deformation processed titanium for orthodontic mini-implants

Titanium mini-implants have been successfully used as anchorage devices in Orthodontics. Commercially pure titanium (cpTi) was recently replaced by Ti-6Al-4 V alloy as the mini-implant material base due to the higher strength properties of the alloy. However, the lower corrosion resistance and the lower biocompatibility have been lowering the success rate of Ti-6Al-4 V mini-implants. Nanostructured titanium (nTi) is commercially pure titanium that was nanostructured by a specific technique of severe plastic deformation. It is bioinert, does not contain potentially toxic or allergic additives, and has higher specific strength properties than any other titanium applied in medical implants. The higher strength properties associated to the higher biocompatibility make nTi potentially useful for orthodontic mini-implant applications, theoretically overcoming cpTi and Ti-6Al-4 V mini-implants. The purposes of the this work were to process nTi, to mechanically compare cpTi, Ti-6Al-4 V, and nTi mini-implants by torque test, and to evaluate both the surface morphology and the fracture surface characteristics of them by SEM. Torque test results showed significant increase in the maximum torque resistance of nTi mini-implants when compared to cpTi mini-implants, and no statistical difference between Ti-6Al-4 V and nTi mini-implants. SEM analysis demonstrated smooth surface morphology and transgranular fracture aspect for nTi mini-implants. Since nanostructured titanium mini-implants have mechanical properties comparable to titanium alloy mini-implants, and biocompatibility comparable to commercially pure titanium mini-implants, it is suggestive that nanostructured titanium can replace Ti-6Al-4 V alloy as the material base for mini-implants.