INVESTIGATION OF FRICTION AND WEAR MECHANISMS OF TiAlN COATED CARBIDE AGAINST Ti6Al4V TITANIUM ALLOY USING PIN-ON-DISC TRIBOMETER

The tribological behavior of the PVD-TiAlN coated carbide inserts in dry sliding against two-phase (alpha-beta) titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V grade, was investigated. A modified pin-on-disc device was used to conduct experiments under variable normal load and sliding speed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray micro-analyses by EDS were applied for observations of wear scars and wear products. It was revealed that the increase of sliding speed contributes to decreasing the friction coefficient under a low normal force, whereas the increase of the normal loading causes the friction coefficient is less sensitive to changes in the sliding speed and its values are equal to mu = 0.26-0.34. The adhesive nature of wear along with severe abrasive action of the Ti alloy were documented.