Microstructure developed in the surface layer of Ti-6Al-4V alloy after sliding wear in vacuum

Microstructural changes in the surface layer of Ti-6Al-4V alloy after sliding wear in vacuum have been studied by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The wear rates of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in vacuum were measured under different sliding velocities and loads. The experimental results showed that a severely deformed layer with a grain size of 50–100 nm and thickness about 70 μm was formed underneath the worn surface. Under the slower sliding velocities, the substructure of the layer had a high dislocation density, while under higher sliding velocities, twins were found to exist in the substructure. A process by which the deformed layer formed has been proposed and the deformation of materials at the contacting spots of the Ti-6Al-4V sample is discussed.