Enhanced wear resistance of titanium surfaces by a new thermal oxidation treatment

The wear behaviour of thermal oxidation (TO)-treated as well as untreated T i6Al4V alloy has been investigated using an Amsler tribometer in rolling-sl iding motion under boundary lubrication conditions. The results show that t he TO treatment can significantly enhance the wear resistance of Ti6Al4V al loy. Based on the experimental results, in conjunction with systematic anal yses, the wear-reduction mechanisms involved in the TO-heated material are discussed. It was found that the significantly reduced tendency to adhesive wear and the improved wettability, which increases the effectiveness of lu brication, have contributed to the enhanced wear resistance of the TO-treat ed material. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.