52. Study of Sliding Abrasive Wear Behaviour of TiC–TiB₂ Composite Coating Fabricated on Titanium Alloy by TIG Cladding Method

Grade 5 Titanium alloy commonly known as Ti–6Al–4V is extensively used in various industries like aerospace, biomedical and chemical components owing to their low density, high strength and biocompatibility. Their application is limited in tribological components due to their low wear resistance. To increase the surface property of Ti–6Al–4V alloy, in this work first, a clad layer of TiC–TiB₂ composite was deposited by TIG cladding method through an in situ reaction between Ti and B₄C powder (mixed at 3:2 wt. ratio). The sliding abrasive wear performance of the coated substrate was done by a pin on disc type tribological test against an alumina disc. The effect of the applied normal load on the wear behaviour of the coating was studied by varying the normal load at 10, 20, 30 and 40 N. The assessment of wear was executed from the reduction of the height of coated pin-shaped samples as well as directly from the data acquisition system attached with the wear tester. The coefficient of friction of the coating was also noted, and the value was compared for different load conditions as well as with the uncoated Ti–6Al–4V alloy. It was found that the wear loss for the coating is sensibly lower than the Ti–6Al–4V substrate even at high load conditions.