Surface properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy treated by plasma ion nitriding process

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys are most widely used in variety of applications due to its special properties viz, good strength, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, less weight. Due to poor surface characteristics of titanium and its alloys, these are normally surface treated in order to improve the surface properties. Among the all processes, plasma ion nitriding is most common method employed to improve the surface properties of titanium and its alloys. The effect of plasma ion nitriding on mechanical properties, corrosion properties and wear properties of Ti6Al4V alloy has been investigated in this present investigation. The plasma ion nitriding has been carried out under the 80% nitrogen and 20% hydrogen atmosphere at the temperature of 500 °C for 8 h to study the improvements in the surface properties with respect to the base material surface properties. EDS analyses substantiated the formation nitrides in the surface layer. The wear test was performed in dry sliding conditions and the corrosion test was carried out in strong hydrogen sulphate solution. The sample treated with plasma ion nitriding exhibited good corrosion resistance, wear resistance and high hardness compare to base material.