Exploring Tribological and Metallurgical Properties of Commercially Pure Titanium, Ti-6Al-4 V, and Ti-6Al-7Nb Laminates using Large Strain Extrusion Machining Technology
摘要
This study investigates the tribological and metallurgical properties of titanium laminates fabricated from CP-Ti, Ti-6Al-4 V, and Ti-6Al-7Nb using Large Strain Extrusion Machining (LSEM). The aim was to explore the impact of LSEM on the hardness, wear resistance, and surface roughness of titanium alloys. Nanoindentation tests showed significant increases in hardness: CP-Ti exhibited a 60% improvement (from 4.01 GPa to 6.38 GPa), Ti-6Al-4 V showed a 41% increase (from 4.61 to 6.51 GPa), and Ti-6Al-7Nb demonstrated a 10% increase (from 5.02 to 5.52 GPa). Surface roughness measurements revealed significant reductions: CP-Ti had a decrease in Ra value from 0.29 to 0.20 µm, Ti-6Al-4 V improved from 0.45 to 0.24 µm, and Ti-6Al-7Nb decreased from 0.43 to 0.37 µm as the strain rate increased. The LSEM process also induced grain refinement, with a 50% reduction in average grain size. Wear tests showed that the fabricated laminates exhibited lower wear rates, with CP-Ti laminates showing a 30% reduction in wear compared to bulk CP-Ti. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed wear mechanisms shifting from oxidation and abrasive wear at low velocities to delamination at higher velocities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated significant strain-induced deformation, confirming the enhancement in material properties. Overall, the results demonstrate that LSEM significantly enhances the mechanical and tribological properties of titanium alloys, making these laminates ideal for high-performance applications in biomedical, aerospace, and power plant industries.