Study and Optimization of the Wear Resistance of Titanium Grade 2 Through a Thermal Oxidation Process with Short Oxidation Times

This article presents oxidation tests of titanium Grade 2 subjected to temperatures of 450 degrees C, 550 degrees C, 650 degrees C, 750 degrees C, and 1000 degrees C for 2 h. An analysis of the morphology of the oxidized surfaces was carried out and it was possible to observe the formation of oxide crystals from 750 degrees C. The cross section of the oxidized samples was analyzed to obtain thicknesses and it was found that the increase in temperature promoted the growth of the oxide layers, obtaining thicknesses of up to 3.27 +/- 0.65 mu m. A combination of phases with rutile TiO2 and Ti3O was found in the oxidized samples starting from 650 degrees C. Based on surface analysis, a growth of oxide grains was observed that caused an increase in Ra and Rz roughness values up to 78.32 +/- 4.19 nm and 202.73 +/- 25.65 nm, respectively. It was found that titanium oxidized at a temperature of 750 degrees C showed the best results, with a hardness value of 10.60 GPa, a friction coefficient of 0.573 +/- 0.03, and a volumetric wear of 2.26 x 10(-5) +/- 1.82 x10(-5) mm(3)/Nm. In addition, under these oxidation conditions, higher compressive stresses were observed, which were also beneficial for the sample.

Automated summary

This article presents the oxidation tests of titanium Grade 2 at different temperatures and reveals that oxide crystals start to form at 750 degrees C. The growth of the oxide layers is promoted with increasing temperature and the best results in terms of hardness and friction coefficient are obtained at 750 degrees C. The oxidation at high temperatures also leads to an increase in surface roughness.