Abstract
Surface engineering applications have brought the titanium and its alloys into the limelight in the manufacturing industries such as the aerospace, automobile, marine, chemical processing industry, nuclear power and biomedical. Despite the growths experienced in the use of this material, it is plagued with poor wear behaviour, especially when in contact with other materials during application. In this research work, the reinforcement of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and boron carbide (B4C) ceramic powders was employed to form the Ti6Al4V+B4C composites. The effect of laser power on the micrograph, microhardness, surface roughness and wear has been investigated. The micrographic evaluation, the geometrical analyses and the effect of laser power on the width and height of deposit, aspect ratio and dilution rate were also evaluated. The highest aspect ratio of 5.31 and dilution rate of 63.81 % was observed in sample MB5 deposited with a laser power of 2400 W. The dry sliding friction and wear conducted using a 10 mm diameter tungsten carbide ball and a normal load of 25 N revealed that sample MB2 produced at a laser power of 1800 W has the lowest wear depth and wear width of 74.6 µm and 1080.77 µm. From the lowest COF attributed by sample MB5, it can be inferred that coefficient of friction does not determine the wear loss due to the sticking of some wear debris to the wear track during sliding action. Thus, other wearing factors are also considered for the wear loss evaluation. However, this composite can be used for the repair of the worm part of a rotating shaft and turbine blades.
Highlights
This research paper investigates the extensive experimental approach of titanium alloy and boron carbide composites for surface engineering applications using laser treatment
The micrographic investigations revealed the presence of two typical zones obtained under the laser treated areas: alloyed zone (AZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ)
The microstructural analysis revealed that the content of boron carbide particles in the composites was formed on the top layer of the deposit which behaves like a shielding structure or coated film-like structure on the deposits surface
Summary
This research paper investigates the extensive experimental approach of titanium alloy and boron carbide composites for surface engineering applications using laser treatment. Titanium and its alloys are widely used in the engineering and biomedical industries due to their specific properties which include: lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and excellent high-temperature properties 1-3. Boron carbide is recognized as the third hardest material behind diamond and cubic boron nitride (C-BN). It is, possesses attractive properties which include: high melting point, low specific weight and thermal expansion, the high cross-section for absorption of a neutron, and outstanding wear and corrosion resistance . 7-11 laser treatment is an additive manufacturing (AM) process such as laser metal deposition (LMD), laser additive manufacturing (LAM), or selective laser melting (SLM) whereby a product is formed by melting successive layers of powder, e.g. titanium alloy grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) powder, through the interaction of a laser beam. The quality clad layer can be achieved through an integrated metallurgical bonding
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
