Microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramic coatings on Ti and Ti-based alloy

Results of a study of silica and silica–titania sol–gel coatings for the creation of intermediate interfaces between commercially pure Ti or titanium alloy Ti6Al4VELI and dental porcelain are presented. Coatings of SiO2 on Ti6Al4Valloy and SiO2–TiO2 on Ti were deposited using sol–gel method. Surface microstructures and wear behaviour of the coatings were studied by using scanning electron microscopy with electron diffraction spectroscopy and pin-on-disc method. It is found that (1) Ti6Al4V/SiO2 and Ti/SiO2–TiO2 coatings obtained by the sol–gel method are compact, chemically homogeneous and relatively rough, and (2) the smaller wear of SiO2 coatings than that of SiO2–TiO2 coatings is associated with differences in their microstructure and roughness.