Evaluation of microstructure and wear properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy plasma carbonized at different temperatures

Abstract

Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) alloys were plasma carbonized at different temperatures (900, 950, and 1 000 °C) for duration of 3 h. Graphite rod was employed as carbon supplier to avoid the hydrogen brittleness which is ubiquitous in traditional gas carbonizing process. Two distinguished structures including a thin compound layer (carbides layer) and a thick layer with the mixed microstructure of TiC and the α-Ti in carburing layer were formed during carburizing. Furthermore, it was found that the microstructure and the properties of TC4 alloy were significantly related to the carbonizing temperature. The specimen plasma carbonized at 950 °C obtained maximum value both in the hardness and wear resistance.

Keywords

Ti-6Al-4V / plasma carburizing / layer / wear resistance

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