Comparative Evaluations of Surface Characteristics of cp Titanium, Ti-6AI-4V and Ti-15Mo-2.8Nb-0.2Si (Timetal® 21SRx)

Abstract

Abstract Commercially pure titanium (cpTi), Ti-6A1-4V (Ti64), and Ti-15Mo-2.8Nb-0.2Si (21SRx), with three unique atomic, alpha, alpha-beta, and beta grain structures, respectively, were subjected to three different surface treatments: cleaning, nitric acid passivation, and heat treatment. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the type of material and surface modifications on the substrate microstructure, surface oxide composition and thickness, and resultant corrosion behavior. Metallography showed the cpTi groups were an equiaxed single alpha phase material, the Ti64 groups a dual-phase alpha-beta material, and the 21SRx groups an equiaxed beta material. The different surface treatments did not alter the substrate microstructures of any groups. Spectroscopic (AES) results showed typical titanium and titanium alloy spectra with dominant Ti and O peaks for all sample groups, indicative of titanium dioxide. In addition, small Al and Mo peaks were detected throughout the surface oxides of the Ti64 and 21SRx specimens, respectively. AES depth profiling showed no significant difference in the oxide thickness between all the Cleaned and Passivated groups regardless of metal or alloy group. However, all the Heat Treated groups had significantly thicker oxides. In general, corrosion results showed Passivated and Heat Treated groups to have similar corrosion properties and significantly improved corrosion resistances compared to the Cleaned groups. All impedance spectra fit into the Randles equivalent circuit model, and all sample groups exhibited near ideal capacitive behavior (φ ≅ 90°) expected for titanium and its alloys.