Wear characteristics of titanium alloy Ti54 for cryogenic sliding applications

Cryogenic wear behaviour of Ti-5Al-4V-0.6Mo-0.4Fe (Ti54) alloy sliding against tungsten carbide is investigated at different speeds, loads and distances. Empirical models based RSM are developed to predict wear characteristics of Ti54 alloy as a function of sliding conditions. It is found that experimental and predicted results are in good agreement. Besides, cryogenic wear is substantially lower than dry wear. SEM and EDS analyses of worn surfaces and wear debris reveal that cryogenic sliding is significantly influenced by changing material properties along with boundary lubrication performance. The study has shown that modes in dry sliding are adhesion and delamination whereas in cryogenic sliding they are abrasion and delamination.