Effect of Ti3AlC2 particles on microstructure and tribological properties of micro-arc oxidation layer on TC4 alloy

Abstract

TiO2 metal oxide layers rich in Ti3AlC2 phase was successfully prepared on TC4 alloy by micro-arc oxidation (PECC or ASD) process. Analysis of the material phases contained in the PECC layer by X-ray diffractometry; scanning electron microscopy and energy spectroscopy were used to analyses the pores and elemental distribution on the surface of the specimens; the cross-sectional thickness of PECC layers were measured by metallographic microscope; confocal microscopy was used to measure the surface roughness of the sample; High temperature wear resistance of PECC layers with different Ti3AlC2 concentration was compared by tribological wear testing. The results show: 1) The incorporation of Ti3AlC2 particles plays an obvious catalytic role in the growth of PECC layer and the thickness is up to 74.74 μm; 2) When the concentration of Ti3AlC2 gradually increases, the PECC layers fluctuates obviously, and the deposition sealing effect is remarkable; 3) When the concentration is 4-6 g/L, the alloy has the best wear resistance, volume wear is only 1.98×10-4 mm3 /N·m. Experiments have shown that surface modification of the alloy using the PECC process can further broaden the application of the alloy in the field of anti-wear