An Overview on Surface Hardening of Titanium Alloys by Diffusion of Interstitial Atoms

Abstract

In this paper, diffusional surface hardening processes utilized to overcome the poor tribological performance of titanium and its alloys is briefly introduced. More specifically, surface treatments known as thermal oxidation, nitriding and boriding offering the advantage of producing graded surfaces comprising hard compound layer and diffusion zone by diffusion of interstitial atoms (oxygen, nitrogen and boron) are overviewed.