The Tribological Performance of Surface Treated Ti6A14V as Sliding Against Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> Ball and 316L Stainless Steel Cylinder

Closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering was used to deposit diamond-like carbon (Ti-C:H) coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy and gas nitrided Ti6Al4V alloy. Four different specimens were prepared, namely untreated Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti6Al4V), gas nitrided Ti6Al4V alloy (N-Ti6Al4V), Ti-C:H-coated Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti-C:H/Ti6Al4V) and Ti-C:H-coated gas nitrided Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti-C:H/N-Ti6Al4V). The tribological properties of the four specimens were evaluated using a reciprocating wear tester sliding against a Si₃N₄ ball (point contact mode) and 316L stainless steel cylinder (line contact mode). The wear tests were performed in a 0.89 wt.% NaCl solution. The results showed that the nitriding treatment increased the surface roughness and hardness of the Ti6Al4V alloy and improved the wear resistance as a result. In addition, the Ti-C:H coating also improved the tribological performance of Ti6Al4V. For example, compared to the untreated Ti6Al4V sample, the Ti-C:H coating reduced the wear depth and friction coefficient by 340 times and 10 times, respectively, in the point contact wear mode, and 151 times and 9 times, respectively, in the line contact wear mode. It is thus inferred that diamond-like carbon coatings are of significant benefit in extending the service life of artificial biomedical implants.     

Triode plasma nitriding and PVD coating: A successful pre-treatment combination to improve the wear resistance of DLC coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have found great applicability in the automotive industry because of their low friction coefficient and high wear resistance. Nevertheless, their tribological performance can be greatly reduced on soft substrates such as titanium alloys. The hard DLC coating cannot usually follow elastic and plastic deformation of the substrate without failing. In order to overcome this property mismatch between hard coating and soft substrate, triode plasma nitriding was applied as a pre-treatment to improve the mechanical properties of the Ti6Al4V alloy and further enhance the load support for the DLC coating. DLC and multilayered TiN/DLC, CrN/DLC CrAlN/DLC coatings were deposited onto “standard” and plasma nitrided Ti6Al4V substrates. Triode plasma nitriding increased the load-bearing capacity of the coating/substrate system, as higher critical adhesion loads were recorded for DLC coatings on plasma nitrided Ti6Al4V substrates. This treatment also reduced the wear rate of the DLC coating/substrate. Further load support and lower wear rates were achieved by using TiN, CrN and CrAlN as intermediate layers on plasma nitrided Ti6Al4V substrates.     

Effect of Spray Distance on Microstructure and Tribological Performance of Suspension Plasma-Sprayed Hydroxyapatite–Titania Composite Coatings

Hydroxyapatite (HA)–titania (TiO₂) composite coatings prepared on Ti6Al4V alloy surface can combine the excellent mechanical property of the alloy substrate and the good biocompatibility of the coating material. In this paper, HA–TiO₂ composite coatings were deposited on Ti6Al4V substrates using suspension plasma spray (SPS). X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier infrared absorption spectrometry and friction tests were used to analyze the microstructure and tribological properties of the obtained coatings. The results showed that the spray distance had an important influence on coating microstructure and tribological performance. The amount of decomposition phases decreased as the spray distance increased. The increase in spray distance from 80 to 110 mm improved the crystalline HA content and decreased the wear performance of the SPS coatings. In addition, the spray distance had a big effect on the coating morphology due to different substrate temperature resulting from different spray distance. Furthermore, a significant presence of OH^? and CO₃ ^2? was observed, which was favorable for the biomedical applications.     

Improving tribological properties of Ti6Al4V alloy with duplex surface treatment

Ti-doped diamond like carbon films were deposited on both untreated and plasma nitrided Ti6Al4V alloy using Closed Field Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering (CFUMBS) method and their tribological properties were evaluated by conducting sliding wear conditions. The influence of the nitrided layer on tribological behavior of Ti-DLC films was studied by means of XRD, SEM, scratch tester, microhardness tester and pin-on-disc tribotester. The microhardness results pointed out that the duplex treatment dramatically increased the surface hardness and reduced the plastic deformation of the alloy. Wear tests showed that Ti-DLC coatings on both untreated and nitrided surfaces caused a reduction in the coefficient of friction. The reason of the reduction in the coefficient of friction was found to be the formation of transfer film between the sliding surfaces. Wear rates demonstrated that wear resistance of duplex treated (Ti-DLC coating after nitriding) Ti6Al4V alloy was significantly improved.     

Laser Powder Deposition Parametric Optimization and Property Development for Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

In this study, Ti6Al4V alloy was produced via laser powder deposition (LPD). To obtain Ti6Al4V alloy with maximum density, LPD parameters for preparing Ti6Al4V samples were optimized using the Taguchi method. Results were analyzed on the basis of the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios and analyses of variance. A high energy density should be used to achieve higher levels of densification. The optimal combination of parameters for density was a scanning speed of 550 mm/min, laser power of 160 W, powder feeding rate of 0.99 g/min, and shield gas flow of 8 L/min. An almost fully dense Ti6Al4V sample was prepared using the optimized LPD process, and the relative density was greater than 99%. In addition, the microstructure and properties of Ti6Al4V samples prepared by optimized LPD process were investigated. The microstructure investigation revealed that the LPD-prepared Ti6Al4V sample was predominantly composed of fine acicular α phase and lath-type α phase. Tensile and microhardness tests indicated that the LPD sample had higher mechanical properties than the traditional cast Ti6Al4V alloy because of the acicular martensitic phase and smaller grain size.     

等离子渗氮与喷丸强化复合改进钛合金抗微动损伤性能

利用直流脉冲等离子电源装置对Ti6A14V钛合金表面渗氮处理,研究了渗氮层的相组成、硬度分布、韧度及摩擦学性能,采用喷丸形变强化(SP)对渗氮层进行后处理,以达到联合提高钛合金微动疲劳(FF)抗力的目的.研究结果表明:脉冲电源等离子技术可在钛合金表面获得由TiN、Ti2N、Ti2A1N等相组成的渗氮层,该改性层能够显著地提高钛合金常规磨损和微动磨损(FW)抗力,但降低了基材的FF抗力.渗氮层的减摩和抗磨性能与SP引入的表面残余压应力协同作用,使钛合金FF抗力超过了SP单独作用.提高渗氮层韧度对改善钛合金FF和FW性能均十分重要.     

Tribological, electrochemical and tribo-electrochemical characterization of bare and nitrided Ti6Al4V in simulated body fluid solution

Tribological, electrochemical and tribo-electrochemical behaviour of bare and nitrided Ti6Al4V alloy was studied. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and microhardness profile were used to characterize the nitrided Ti6Al4V. The anticorrosive properties of nitrided Ti6Al4V in phosphate buffer saline solution (PBS), simulating the body environment, were evaluated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Nitriding increased the alloy resistance to corrosion and to dry wear. Resistance to tribocorrosion in PBS at the open circuit potential (OCP) for the nitrided alloy was also significantly increased compared to the bare alloy; nevertheless at an anodic potential this influence became less important.     

Joining of ZrB2 Ceramics to Ti6Al4V by Ni-Based Interlayers

Pure ZrB₂ and ZrB₂-SiC composites were joined to Ti6Al4V at 1100 °C using B-Ni50 (at.%) as a filler alloy. The brazing medium and the processing parameters were chosen on the basis of specific wetting tests which showed the good adhesion properties of the B-Ni alloy with both the ceramic and the Ti alloy; interfacial reactions were foreseen and interpreted by phase diagram analysis. A multilayer metal-ceramic interfacial structure was observed in the joints and a key role was played by Ti coming from Ti6Al4V: it worked as the active element enhancing the adhesion of the liquid to the ceramic and segregated at the interface forming TiB. A satisfactory mechanical performance was obtained for ZrB₂-SiC/Ti6Al4V joints, which exhibited a room temperature shear strength of 74 MPa.     

Effects of Micro-Arc Oxidation of Ti6Al4V Alloy on Adhesion Property to Electroless Ni-P-ZrO2 Composite Platings and Their Wear Resistance

在Ti6Al4V合金微弧氧化膜表面制备Ni-P-ZrO2化学复合镀层,微弧氧化处理时间分别为15、30、60、90 min。采用扫描电镜/能谱仪、划痕试验、热震试验、显微硬度计和球盘式摩擦磨损试验机研究了微弧氧化膜结构对Ni-P-ZrO2化学复合镀层的结合性能与摩擦性能的影响。结果表明：随着微弧氧化时间的增加,复合镀层的结合性能显著提高,原因是微弧氧化膜的多孔性结构及其机械锁合效应。与Ti6Al4V合金相比,微弧氧化+化学复合镀处理后的试样硬度和耐磨性显著提高,Ti6Al4V合金表现为是严重的黏着磨损,而Ni-P-ZrO2复合镀层以磨砺磨损为主     

Dynamic stress–strain properties of Ti–Al–V titanium alloys with various element contents

A series of Ti–Al–V titanium alloy bars with nominal composition Ti–7Al–5V ELI,Ti–5Al–3V ELI,commercial Ti–6Al–4V ELI and commercial Ti–6Al–4V were prepared.These alloys were then heat treated to obtain bimodal or equiaxed microstructures with various contents of primary a phase.Dynamic compression properties of the alloys above were studied by split Hopkinson pressure bar system at strain rates from 2,000 to 4,000 s-1.The results show that Ti–6Al–4V alloy with equiaxed primary a(ap)volume fraction of 45 vol%or 67 vol%exhibits good dynamic properties with high dynamic strength and absorbed energy,as well as an acceptable dynamic plasticity.However,all the Ti53ELI specimens and Ti64ELI specimens with ap of 65 vol%were not fractured at a strain rate of4,000 s-1.It appears that the undamaged specimens still have load-bearing capability.Dynamic strength of Ti–Al–V alloy can be improved as the contents of elements Al,V,Fe,and O increase,while dynamic strain is not sensitive to the composition in the appropriate range.The effects of primary alpha volume fraction on the dynamic properties are dependent on the compositions of Ti–Al–V alloys.     

Wear behavior of Ti6Al4V biomedical alloys processed by selective laser melting,hot pressing and conventional casting

The aim of this work was to study the influence of the processing route on the microstructural constituents, hardness and tribological (wear and friction) behavior of Ti6Al4V biomedical alloy. In this sense, three different processing routes were studied: conventional casting, hot pressing and selective laser melting. A comprehensive metallurgical, mechanical and tribological characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction analysis, Vickers hardness tests and reciprocating ball-on-plate wear tests of Ti6Al4V/Al₂O₃ sliding pairs. The results showed a great influence of the processing route on the microstructural constituents and consequent differences on hardness and wear performance. The highest hardness and wear resistance were obtained for Ti6Al4V alloy produced by selective laser melting, due to a markedly different cooling rate that leads to significantly different microstructure when compared to hot pressing and casting. This study assesses and confirms that selective laser melting is potential to produce customized Ti6Al4V implants with improved wear performance.     

Microstructure, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium incorporated amorphous carbon nitride films

Titanium incorporated amorphous carbon nitride films were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering. The films change from amorphous to nanocomposite structure, the relative fraction of sp³ C-N bonding decreases significantly from 2.17 to 1.64 with the increase of Ti content from 2.7 at.% to 12.3 at.%. For the films with high Ti content, the nanocrystalline TiN embedded in a-CN_x matrix, while principally TiN did not appear to be well formed for the film containing low Ti content. Potentiodynamic polarization, in vitro human osteoblasts and murine fibroblast cell adhesion tests were employed to assess the corrosion performances of Ti6Al4V alloy coated with the films in Tyrode's solution, and the biocompatibility of Ti-incorporated a-CN_x films, respectively. Titanium incorporation increases the corrosion resistance of a-CN_x films, and the higher corrosion potential and lower corrosion current density are observed for the alloy coated with the film containing lower Ti content. The high osteoblast adhesion and activation demonstrate the enhanced biocompatibility of Ti alloy coated with Ti-incorporated a-CN_x films. The improved biocompatibility in biological environment is attributed to structural change after titanium introduction.     

Influence of gas nitriding of Ti6Al4V alloy at high temperature on the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus

In this in vitro study, we investigated the influence of titanium nitride (TiN) treatments on the Staphylococcus aureus colonisation and biofilm formation on Ti6Al4V alloy at different times. The development of biofilm in static tests was carried out in a TSB culture medium at 37 °C, for 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. Bacterial adhesion on nitrided titanium alloy was analysed by both epifluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the number of attached bacteria, their viability, and distribution were different for nitrided alloys than for the control group (non-nitrided alloys).     

Plasma nitriding of Ti6Al4V alloy to improve some tribological properties

The present study was conducted to investigate the tribological and mechanical properties of plasma-nitrided Ti---6Al---4V alloy. Specimens were nitrided in an H₂---N₂ (1:8 ratio) plasma. The nitrogen concentration along the nitrided zone was obtained using the nuclear reaction analysis technique. The workpiece temperature was varied from 450 to 520 °C during the nitriding process. Pin-on-disc wear tests were carried out to evaluate the wear properties of the resultant samples and a ball-on-disc experiment was conducted to measure the friction coefficient. Microhardness tests, Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were carried out to investigate the phases developed in the nitrided zone. It was found that the wear resistance improved considerably after the nitriding process. Three distinct layers were identified: (i) an inner layer where δ-TiN + -Ti₂N phases formed, (ii) an intermediate layer where -(TiN) with or without phase developed and (iii) an outer layer where precipitations were dominant.     

盐雾腐蚀条件下Ti合金表面功能薄膜的摩擦磨损性能

目的研究Ti6Al4V合金、铬掺杂类金刚石(Cr-DLC)薄膜、钨掺杂类金刚石(W-DLC)薄膜和氮化钛(TiN)薄膜,在干摩擦和盐雾腐蚀气氛摩擦条件下的摩擦磨损性能。方法在商用Ti6Al4V合金表面通过非平衡磁控溅射制备Cr-DLC薄膜和W-DLC薄膜,通过多弧离子镀技术制备TiN薄膜。利用扫描电镜、显微硬度计、摩擦磨损试验机、白光干涉扫描轮廓仪,对薄膜的形貌、硬度、干摩擦和腐蚀摩擦性能、磨痕形貌进行测试分析。结果干摩擦条件下,Ti6Al4V合金表面沉积Cr-DLC、W-DLC和TiN三种薄膜的摩擦系数均比Ti6Al4V合金低;Ti6Al4V合金及其表面制备的三种薄膜在盐雾腐蚀气氛条件下的摩擦系数都比干摩擦条件下有所增加。与Ti6Al4V合金相比,Cr-DLC、W-DLC和TiN三种薄膜在干摩擦和盐雾腐蚀气氛摩擦条件下均减小了磨损体积。干摩擦条件下,W-DLC薄膜的磨损体积为0.0017 mm~3,耐磨性最好;盐雾腐蚀气氛摩擦条件下,TiN薄膜的磨损体积为0.0028 mm~3,表现出最佳的耐腐蚀磨损性能。通过磨痕形貌可以得出,盐雾腐蚀气氛摩擦条件下,Ti6Al4V合金表面制备的金属掺杂类金刚石薄膜的磨损受到磨粒磨损和腐蚀磨损双重机制的影响。结论三种表面功能薄膜在盐雾腐蚀气氛摩擦条件下都较好地保护了Ti合金,极大地减少了磨损损失。     

Plasma nitriding behavior of Ti6Al4V orthopedic alloy

The influence of plasma nitriding on mechanical, corrosion and tribological properties of Ti6Al4V has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, microhardness tester, scanning electron microscopy, pin-on-disc tribotester, electrochemical polarization and impedance spectroscopy. Plasma nitriding treatment of Ti6Al4V has been performed in 25%Ar-75%N₂ gas mixture, for treatment times of 1-4 h at the temperatures of 650-750 °C. The corrosion tests were carried out in Ringer solution at 37 °C, and the wear tests were performed in dry sliding conditions. XRD analyses confirm the formation of δ-TiN and tetragonal ?-Ti₂N phases in the modified layer. It was observed that the surface hardness and wear resistance increase as the treatment time and temperature increase. The electrochemical impedance measurements indicate a decrease in double layer capacitance value and increase in charge transfer resistance for the nitrided specimens compared to the untreated ones.     

ZrCuFeAlAg thin film metallic glass for potential dental applications

In this study, the application of a Ni-free Zr_60.14Cu_22.31Fe_4.85Al_9.7Ag₃ thin film metallic glass (TFMG) was examined as an approach to retard the poor tribological properties of Ti-alloys for dental applications. The TFMGs were coated on biomedical Ti6Al4V substrate by single-target magnetron sputtering. The fretting resistance was assessed using a reciprocating tribo-tester against Si₃N₄ counterpart in air and in artificial saliva. Bio-corrosion resistance of TFMG-coated Ti6Al4V samples was tested via electrochemical polarizations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in artificial saliva. Biocompatibility of the TFMG was tested in vitro, in comparison with that of the Ti6Al4V alloy. The results showed that this TFMG not only possessed 1.8–2.8 times higher fretting resistance than the Ti6Al4V alloy under various tribological conditions, but also lower bio-corrosion rate and superior passive film. In-vitro assessments of cytotoxicity and cell adhesion indicated that the TFMG has no any cytotoxicity and well-flattened cell adhesion morphology, as good as the Ti6Al4V alloy. The present Ni-free Zr-based TFMG is expected to improve the lifetime and quality of biomedical implants or devices for dental applications.     

Ti6Al4V合金表面离子铌合金化及其耐磨性能研究

采用双辉离子渗技术对Ti6Al4V钛合金表面渗Nb,利用扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射仪、显微硬度计、磨损试验机、电化学测试系统研究钛合金表面离子渗Nb合金化层的形态、结构、力学性能、摩擦学性能和电化学腐蚀性能,并探讨渗Nb改性处理对钛合金在3.5%NaCl溶液中腐蚀磨损行为的影响.结果表明,渗Nb工艺参数对合金化层的形态、结构和性能影响显著,高浓度渗Nb合金化改性层表现出良好的强化效果,显著地改善了Ti6Al4V合金的抗大气环境和抗NaCl溶液腐蚀磨损性能.Ti6Al4V合金基材和渗Nb层的耐磨性能在NaCl溶液中优于大气环境,其原因归于溶液的润滑作用和试样的良好耐腐蚀性能.     

Effects of Traverse Scanning Speed of Spray Nozzle on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Sprayed Ti6Al4V Coatings

Cold spray has the potential to restore damaged aerospace components made from titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V at low temperature (200-400 °C). Traverse scanning speed during deposition is one of the key factors that affect the quality of the Ti6Al4V coatings as it influences the thermal build-up and coating thickness per pass. As there are fewer reported studies on this, this work investigated the effects of different traverse scanning speeds (100, 300 and 500 mm/s) of cold spray nozzle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cold-sprayed Ti6Al4V coatings. The cross-sectional analysis showed coating porosities reduces with slower traverse speed, from 3.2 to 0.5%. In addition, the microhardness of the coatings increased from about 361-385 HV due to strain hardening. However, the adhesion strength of the coatings to the substrates significantly decreased with reduced traverse speed from about 60 MPa (glue failure) at 500 mm/s to 2.5 MPa (interface failure) at 100 mm/s. Therefore, this study revealed that the control of heat build-up and thickness per pass during the cold spray deposition of the Ti6Al4V coatings is crucial to attain the desirable properties of the coatings.     

低模量Ti6Al4V表面Ti(Al/Pt)N薄膜强化改性

为解决硬质薄膜因与软基体硬度和模量差较大导致的薄膜失效问题,提高硬质薄膜在Ti6Al4V(TC4)钛合金基体上的适应性,使用掺杂氮化钛（TiN）陶瓷薄膜对低模量Ti6Al4V合金表面强化。采用热丝增强等离子体磁控溅射技术在Ti6Al4V合金表面制备Ti(Al/Pt)N薄膜：包括本征TiN、Al&Pt掺杂TiAlN和TiAl(Pt)N薄膜。采用扫描电子显微镜、X-射线衍射仪、纳米压痕仪、洛氏硬度计和摩擦磨损测试仪分别表征三种薄膜组织形貌、能谱分析、相结构和内应力、纳米硬度和模量及耐磨性。结果表明：Al元素掺杂使TiN薄膜柱状晶细化,截面形貌柱状晶更致密;同时微量Pt掺杂后,截面断口呈韧性撕裂。本征TiN和TiAlN薄膜衍射峰图谱呈现TiN(111)取向,TiAl(Pt)N薄膜的衍射峰呈TiN(200)主峰位。Al元素掺杂使TiN薄膜晶格畸变增多,内应力从-13 MPa增大到-115 MPa,导致膜-基结合力恶化,洛氏压痕和摩擦磨损实验中均出现薄膜剥落。Pt掺杂后薄膜内应力降低到-66 MPa,在洛氏压痕试验中TiAl(Pt)N薄膜与基体结合良好,仅有少许环形裂纹。摩擦磨损试验中本...