Tribological investigation of tantalum boride coating under dry and simulated body fluid conditions

Tantalum is known to be a highly corrosion resistant refractory metal. Boronized tantalum has potential use in machinery components, structures and as a bearing material in joint implants due to its high corrosive resistance and hardness. In this research, the friction and wear characteristics of boronized tantalum were studied against bearing steel E52100 under dry and simulated body fluid (SBF) conditions. Results showed that SBF caused tribochemical reactions leading to an increase in friction corresponding with amorphous debris. Fatigue cracks formed under dry conditions and tribochemical wear cracks formed under SBF conditions.