Abstract
We have used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and image simulation techniques to systematically investigate the surface microstructures evolved in Ti–6Al–4V alloy after nitriding by intensified plasma assisted processing (IPAP). Cross-sectional TEM and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy studies demonstrated that the surface layer in the IPAP-treated Ti–6Al–4V has a N composition of approximately 25 at.%. By using electron diffraction analysis, the nitride layer was found to be composed of an ordered superstructure Ti 3N (ϑ-phase) that can be identified as a trigonal structure with a space group of P3 and lattice parameters a=6.04 Å and c=4.82 Å (hexagonal setting). The 3( d)-( 1 2 0 0) and 3( d)- 1 3 1 6 1 2 positions in the unit cell are occupied by metallic (Ti, Al, V) atoms, whereas the 1( a)- 0 0 0 and 1( c)- 1 3 2 3 1 2 positions are occupied by N atoms. The N content at the surface layer gradually decreases with depth, producing a composition gradient structure. This composition gradient layer is accomplished by gradually reducing the amount of Ti 3N phase and increasing that of the α-Ti structure.
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