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Laser processing of in situ TiN/Ti composite coating on titanium
Himanshu Sahasrabudhe1, Julie Soderlind1, Amit Bandyopadhyay1
1W. M. Keck Biomedical Materials Research Laboratory School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-2920, USA.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|September 8, 2015
Summary
Laser surface nitriding of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) created a TiN/Ti composite coating. This enhanced surface hardness, wear resistance, and reduced friction and ion leaching.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Engineering
- Tribology
Background:
- Commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) is widely used but can suffer from poor wear resistance and susceptibility to ion leaching.
- Surface modification techniques are crucial for enhancing titanium's performance in demanding applications.
- In situ composite coatings offer a promising route to improve material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of in situ titanium nitride (TiN)/titanium (Ti) composite coatings on CP-Ti via laser surface remelting in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere.
- To analyze the microstructural evolution and its correlation with mechanical and tribological properties.
- To evaluate the effect of laser power and scanning strategy on the coating characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Laser surface remelting of CP-Ti was conducted using laser powers of 425 W and 475 W.
- Samples were processed with one or two laser scans under a nitrogen-rich inert atmosphere.
- Microstructural analysis, hardness testing, wear testing, and friction coefficient measurements were performed.
Main Results:
- A nitride-rich in situ coating with a graded microstructure, featuring TiN and Ti2N dendrites in an α-Ti matrix, was successfully formed.
- Increased laser power led to larger dendrites, while double laser scans resulted in more α-Ti phase.
- The TiN/Ti composite coating exhibited significantly higher hardness and wear resistance compared to untreated CP-Ti.
- Surface nitridation reduced the coefficient of friction and minimized Ti(4+) ion leaching during wear tests in deionized water.
Conclusions:
- Laser surface remelting in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere is an effective method for creating beneficial TiN/Ti composite coatings on CP-Ti.
- The developed coatings substantially improve wear resistance, reduce friction, and enhance the corrosion resistance by limiting ion release.
- This surface engineering approach offers a viable strategy for extending the application range of CP-Ti in tribological and biomedical fields.
