Atmosphere gas carburizing for improved wear resistance of pure titanium fabricated by additive manufacturing

Abstract

In order to improve wear resistance of pure titanium fabricated by additive manufacturing, its surface was hardened by atmosphere gas carburizing. For the study, the pure titanium was fabricated by electron beam melting system. The microstructures and wear properties of the as-built and carburized titanium were investigated. After carburizing, hardness was increased and titanium carbides were precipitated in the surface region. The friction coefficients of the both specimens were estimated by dry sliding friction tests; the friction coefficient of carburized titanium is lower than that of as-built titanium. The improvement of wear property would be a result of high surface hardness and the slippery nature of titanium carbide formed on the surface.