Scratch Resistance and Wear Energy Analysis of TiO₂ Coatings on 316L Stainless Steel

In this study, TiO₂ nanoparticles coatings were prepared on 316L stainless steel substrate by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process. The morphology and composition were investigated, respectively. The influences of calcination temperature on the wear performance of coated films were also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A novel experimental process to improve the wear resistance was investigated. The energetic wear coefficients of wear were also studied. It was observed that the morphology and structure change with the heat treatment. The findings of scratch test showed that the calcined coating exhibited the ability to higher critical load. The relation between wear volume and dissipated cumulated energy was established for calcined and coated thin film, and the energetic wear coefficients of wear were deduced. The results prove that the heat treatment appreciably improves the wear resistance. Obviously, the calcined coating reduced the energetic wear coefficient, which enhanced the resistance to fretting wear.