Wear Behaviour of Ti6al4v Alloy Against Al2o3 under Linear Reciprocating Sliding

Tribological behaviour of four different heat-treated Ti6Al4V alloys, during linear reciprocating sliding against alumina, on the microscale was investigated. Experiments were carried out for dry sliding and in the Ringer solution, over a range of loads (100-1000 mN) and speeds (4-12 mm/s). The wear mechanisms were investigated based on observations of worn surfaces. Specific wear rates for tested Ti6Al4V alloy were of order of 10(-7)-10(-4) mm(3)/N m. The lowest wear factor (order of 10(-7) mm(3)/N m) was observed for the Ti6Al4V annealed for I h at 750 degrees C in Ar atmosphere and then cooled down to room temperature in the furnace, tested in the Ringer solution. Load dependence of the wear factor exhibited transition characteristics. Wear mechanism has changed with change of load. The Ringer solution lowered wear factor for all tested conditions