Improvement of tribological performance of AZ31 biodegradable alloy by TiN-based PVD coatings

• Published in: Tribology international 2022-09, Vol.173, p.107684, Article 107684
• Main Authors: Çelik, A., Bozkurt, Y.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AZ31; DMEM; PBS; PVD; SBF; Wear
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2022.107684

Making Mg and its alloys suitable for use as biodegradable implant material was the subject of innovative studies in this field. In this study, it was aimed to improve the surface properties of the AZ31 alloy and to increase the wear performance as the first step to improve its biodegradable character. In this context, AlTiN and Ag doped TiN films were grown on the surface by PVD method. In order to correlate wear performance with biological effects, three different solutions and two wear loads were used for liquid media experiments in terms of in vitro simulation of body fluid. An extensive post-wear performance data was collected for in vitro analysis of biodegradation. •The AZ31 alloy, which has a very weak corrosion resistance, was corroded in liquid medium wear, and the corrosive effect was considerably weakened in the coated samples.•The wear mechanism played a dominant role in the total material loss on the coated surfaces.•The minimum wear rates were obtained in the Ag doped TiN film.•In terms of material loss, the nominal load increase showed a more dominant behavior than the media ion concentration.