Surface morphology manipulation and wear property of bioceramic oxide coatings on titanium alloy

► TiO2 coating morphology and thickness were manipulated by process parameter. ► Sliding and impact-sliding wear tests were used to study coating failure behavior. ► Titanium oxide being sub-stoichiometric resulted in a low coefficient of friction. ► Uneven pores on coating surfaces led to high friction and earlier coating failure. ► Morphology-uniform coatings performed well in pure sliding and impact-sliding tests.