Improving the surface characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V and Timetal 834 using PIRAC nitriding treatments

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2018-04, Vol.339, p.208-223
• Main Authors: Attard, B., Leyland, A., Matthews, A., Gutmanas, E.Y., Gotman, I., Cassar, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion tests; Diffusion; Diffusion layers; Frictional wear; Indentation; Metallurgy; Metals; Nitriding; PIRAC; Sliding friction; Surface properties; Ti-6Al-4V; Timetal834; Titanium base alloys; Tribology; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2018.01.051

Despite the popularity of a number of techniques of thermochemical diffusion for titanium, in many cases the surface engineering processes used may not be economically viable options for industry. This work focuses on the application of Powder Immersion Reaction Assisted Coating (PIRAC), a relatively inexpensive nitriding treatment that can provide a remarkable improvement in the surface characteristics of titanium alloys. The aim of this work was to determine whether PIRAC could be successfully applied to Ti-6Al-4V and the high-performance near-α titanium alloy Timetal 834. In order to study the response of these materials to PIRAC nitriding, techniques such as X-ray diffraction, micro-indentation hardness, surface profilometry, optical and electron microscopy, nano-scratch adhesion testing and ball-on-plate reciprocating-sliding wear testing were employed. These techniques highlighted the markedly different response between the two alloys to the PIRAC treatment; namely, that Ti-6Al-4V forms a thick compound layer, while at the same processing temperature and time Timetal834 does not form any appreciable Ti2N phase instead forming a nitrogen-diffusion case with a thin TiN compound layer at the surface. This inherent difference in nitridability influences the metallurgical response of each alloy. Despite this, the surfaces of both alloys were still hardened considerably and their tribological performance in dry sliding conditions improved compared to the untreated alloys. •The effect of temperature and alloy on the PIRAC nitriding response for Ti has been investigated.•Ti-6Al-4V forms a thick compound layer consisting of Ti2N and TiN.•Timetal 834 only forms TiN and an underlying nitrogen enriched zone.•Compound layers were well adhered to the substrates for both alloys.•Both alloys had improved surface hardness and tribological behaviour.