Friction and Wear Performance of in-Situ (TiC+TiB)/Ti6Al4V Composites

Abstract

(TiC+TiB)/Ti6Al4V composites with different TiC and TiB contents were prepared by in situ synthesis. The influence of load on the dry sliding friction and wear performance of in-situ (TiC+TiB)/Ti6Al4V composites (TMC) was studied by HT-1000 friction and wear testing machine, and the wear behavior of the composites was also investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Bruker 3D profilometer. The results show that the wear resistance of TMC is improved by the formation of TiC and TiB phases compared to the Ti6Al4V matrix. For the composites with different volume fractions of reinforcing phases, the wear rate and wear depth increase with the increase of the applied load, and the friction coefficient decreases and fluctuates within a small range. Under low loads, the worn surface is covered with grooves and a small amount of wear debris; under heavy loads, the worn surface is covered with narrow and shallow grooves and a large amount of wear debris. The wear mechanism is abrasive wear and oxidation wear. As the load increases, the size of the debris increases.