Effect of Thermal Oxidation Temperature of Ti–6Al–4V Alloy on Microstructural Characterization, Mechanical Behavior, and Wettability
摘要
Ti-alloy was thermally oxidized in the present investigation for 24 h at 650 and 800 °C in a normal atmosphere. Following the thermal oxidation process, microstructural characterization, hardness, wear behavior, and wettability were analyzed. The microstructure analysis shows formation of tiny oxide grains with presence of porosities on the surface. The one thermally oxidized at 650 °C shows the presence of α-Ti, anatase, and rutile phase; however, the one thermally oxidized at 800 °C shows the existence of rutile, and α-Ti phase. Thermally oxidized samples show an improvement in hardness from 350 HV (untreated sample) to 550–600 HV. Thermally oxidized samples exhibit better wear resistance than untreated sample; however, the improvement is greater for that thermally oxidized at 800 °C. The wettability properties of the thermally oxidized samples are substantially better than those of the untreated sample.