Surface characteristics and corrosion behavior of Ti–Al–Zr alloy implanted with Al and Nb

• Published in: Corrosion science 2007-03, Vol.49 (3), p.1069-1080
• Main Authors: Liu, Y.Z., Zu, X.T., Li, C., Qiu, S.Y., Huang, X.Q., Wang, L.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Al and Nb ion implantation; Applied sciences; Corrosion; Corrosion environments; Exact sciences and technology; Metals. Metallurgy; Other surface treatments; Phase formation; Production techniques; Surface treatment; Ti–Al–Zr alloy
• ISSN: 0010-938X; 1879-0496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2006.06.028

Ti–Al–Zr alloys were implanted with Al and Nb to doses ranging from 1 × 10 17 to 1 × 10 18 ions cm −2. The valence states of element on the sample surfaces were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) was employed on the as-implanted specimens to understand phase formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement revealed α-Ti on Al-implanted samples and (α + β)-Ti on Nb-implanted samples. The tendency was observed in increasing corrosion resistance from α- toward (α + β)-phase. In deaerated 5 M HCl, the ion-implanted Ti–Al–Zr surface containing Nb-stabilized β-phase was spontaneously passive, while Al-implanted surface displaying an active/passive behavior. In the aerated solution with pH = 10, all the implanted surfaces are passive. Enhanced reoxidation was confirmed on implanted surfaces by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The corrosion in the solution with pH = 10 was governed by a predominantly TiO 2 surface film. The cathodic kinetics was seen to affect the corrosion behavior in 5 M HCl.