Tribological investigations of wear resistant layers developed through EDA and WEDA techniques on Ti6Al4V surfaces: Part I – Ambient temperature

Abstract

The incompetent tribological behavior of Ti6Al4V (Ti64) poses an imperative need to develop new techniques or improve existing processes for surface characteristic enhancement of the alloy. Given the above, the tribological characteristics of the wear-resistant layers deposited through electrical discharge machining assisted alloying (EDA) and wire electrical discharge machining assisted alloying (WEDA) got investigated at ambient condition. The electrical discharge machined and alloyed Ti64 (ETi64), and wire-electrical discharge machined and alloyed Ti64 (WETi64) specimens demonstrated a decrement (62.89%) and increment (11.01%) in specific wear rate (SWR), respectively as compared to the bare Ti64 (BTi64). The near similar friction and wear behavior associated with the BTi64, and WETi64 is subject to the occurrence of the wear mechanisms, viz. adhesion, abrasion, and delamination. For ETi64 specimens, the continuous squashing and sintering of the spalls/flakes and the ability of the deposited layer (through EDA) to impart ceramic characteristics aided in achieving superior wear-resistant characteristics. They also assist the formation/existence of the distinct oxides (TiO and Ti8O15). The failure of the WEDA specimens during dry interactive sliding attributes to the inadequate thickness of the protective layers and the absence of high carbon (C) diffusion achievable through the utilization of hydrocarbon dielectrics.