Wear and Thermal Behavior of TiAlN Thin Films onto Ti6Al4V Alloy Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting Method

In this study, it was targeted to enhance the tribological and thermal properties of Ti6Al4V alloys, which were manufactured with three different build orientations and hatch spacing by using the selective laser melting (SLM) method and a traditional method (casting). In addition, the surfaces of the samples produced by these two methods were coated with the TiAlN thin film by using the cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (CAPVD) method. After the experimental investigations, the lowest wear rate was obtained for the 60-90 degrees sample, and the highest microhardness value was measured as similar to 1070 HV0.1 for the 90-45 degrees sample. It was specified that the wear rate rose as the hatch spacing increased among the same build orientation Ti6Al4V alloys produced by SLM method. According to thermal analysis results, among the same hatch spacing values, it was determined that as the build orientation value increased, the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity values decreased. Among the coated samples, the highest thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity values were obtained for casting samples as 5.63 (W/m center dot K) and 560.4 (J/kg center dot K), respectively.

Automated summary

This study aimed to improve the tribological and thermal properties of Ti6Al4V alloys fabricated with different build orientations and hatch spacing using selective laser melting (SLM) and casting methods. The samples produced by SLM and casting were coated with TiAlN thin films using cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (CAPVD) method. Experimental results showed that the wear rate increased with increasing hatch spacing for the same build orientation of Ti6Al4V alloys produced by SLM method. Thermal analysis results indicated that the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity values decreased as the build orientation value increased. Among the coated samples, the casting samples had the highest thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity values.