Microstructure and tribological properties of Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating

Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating has been in situ synthesized successfully on pure Ti substrate by laser cladding using copper powder as the precursor. It has been found that the prepared coating mainly contains of TiCu, TiCu3, Ti3Cu, and Ti phases. The transmission electron microscopy results conform further the existence of Ti–Cu intermetallic compound in the fabricated coating. Tribological properties of the prepared Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating were systematically evaluated. It was found that normal loads and sliding speeds have a strong influence on the friction coefficient and wear rate of Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating. Namely, the friction coefficient of the Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating decreased with increasing normal load and sliding speed. The wear rate of the Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating decreased rapidly with increasing sliding speed, while the wear rate increased as the normal load increased.

► Ti–Cu coating has been synthesized on pure Ti substrate by laser cladding.
► Microstructure and tribological properties of Ti–Cu coating were analyzed.
► The prepared Ti–Cu intermetallic compound coating has excellent wear resistance.