Effect of oxidation on wear resistance of 3D-printed titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V parts

Abstract

Low wear resistance is one of the disadvantages of both wrought and additive manufactured titanium alloys. At present paper the effect of thermal oxidation at a temperature of 700 °C during 4h and 8h on the wear resistance and friction coefficient in 3D printed samples of Ti-6Al-4V alloy is studied. Ti-6Al-4V parts were produced by electron beam free-form fabrication process. Bilayer oxide (TiO2/Al2O3,) formed on the surface of 3D printed of Ti-6Al-4V samples during oxidation was revealed using X-ray diffraction method. It was shown that the thermal oxidation significantly decreases the wear rate of the Ti-6Al-4V samples. A two-stage dependence of friction coefficient on the sliding distance was demonstrated. The wear mechanisms of 3D printed of Ti-6Al-4V samples and bilayer oxide were discussed.