The in situ synthesis and wear performance of a metal matrix composite coating reinforced with TiC–TiB2 particulates, formed on Ti–6Al–4V alloy by a low oxygen partial pressure fusing technique

A metal matrix composite coating reinforced with TiC–TiB2 particulates has been successfully fabricated utilizing the in situ reaction of Al, Ti and B4C by the low oxygen partial pressure fusing technique to improve the wear resistance of Ti–6Al–4V alloy. The results show that increasing the B4C content is adverse to forming the coating for the formation of interfacial stress; however, the addition of TiC powder as a diluent can favor the formation of this coating and the addition of small amounts of Y2O3 can greatly improve the adhesion of the coating. After a pin-on-disc wear test, the wear mass loss of the coating is only about 1/12 that of the Ti–6Al–4V alloy and the wear mechanism of coating is a mixed type of slight peeling-off, adhesion and abrasion.