MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF OXIDE LAYERS OBTAINED ON Ti-6Al-7Nb ALLOY

Abstract

The research presented in the paper was focused on determining the effects of thermal oxidation parameters on the mechanical and tribological properties of oxide layers formed on Ti-6Al-7Nb titanium alloy for biomedical applications. Titanium alloy was oxidized at 600 and 700°C for 72h. The study found that, at lower temperatures, the oxidized alloy surface was covered by a nonuniform oxide layer. A 100°C increase in the treatment temperature yielded a uniform layer covering the whole surface of the alloy. Hardness measurements showed that thermal oxidation resulted in the formation of oxide layers characterized by a 3-fold higher hardness compared to untreated alloy. Tribological tests showed that thermal oxidation effectively improves the resistance of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy to sliding wear. Tribological tests demonstrated that an increased oxidation temperature was associated with improved resistance to sliding wear.