Fretting wear characteristics of titanium matrix composites reinforced by titanium boride and titanium carbide particulates

Titanium-based composite materials reinforced by titanium boride (TiB) and titanium carbide (TiC) were fabricated using an in-situ method. Fretting test specimens containing 5, 10, and 20 vol% hard particles were prepared. Grade 2 (99 wt%) titanium was used as a basis for comparison. After fretting regimes were classified, the wear mechanisms were investigated. An oxide layer that formed during wear testing altered the friction and wear characteristics. The wear volume decreased with the concentration of hard particles, and the least wear amount was observed at a concentration of 20 vol%. This wear rate reduction was attributed to the formation of an oxide layer. Experiments conducted on a composite with a pre-formed oxide layer showed an increase of the wear life in the gross slip regime. Furthermore, severe wear under the partial slip regime was avoided.