Thick rutile layer on titanium for tribological applications

In the present work, efforts have been made to oxidise the titanium surface, followed by very slow cooling to produce a thick and adherent oxide layer. The response of titanium to oxidation at various temperatures and timings has been investigated, in terms of layer thickness, phase evolution, surface morphology, oxide layer-substrate adhesion, hardness and tribological characteristics. A variety of experimental and analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, micro-hardness and tribological testing, have been used to characterise the resultant thermal oxidised surfaces. The results showed that a thick oxide layer with rutile TiO2 and oxygen diffused Ti structure can be produced, which exhibited excellent adhesion with the titanium substrate, low friction and superior wear resistance during pin-on-disc sliding tests and thus good potential for tribological applications.