Artificial oxide-containing tribo-layers and their effect on wear performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Artificial oxide-containing tribo-layers were in situ fabricated by supplying the particles of MoS2, Fe2O3 or their mixtures onto the sliding interface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy/AISI 52100 steel. Both of MoS2 and Fe2O3 particles were noticed to directly partake in the formation of tribo-layers. Insert-type and cover-type tribo-layers were artificially fabricated by MoS2-rich additives and Fe2O3-rich ones, respectively; the latter presented more marked reduction of wear. The friction and wear of titanium alloy were substantially improved because of the artificial tribo-layers. The artificially fabricated oxide-containing tribo-layers would be expected for titanium alloys to directly apply in rigorous sliding conditions without any use of surface engineering means.