Abstract Directed energy deposition (DED) was used to produce niobium carbide (NbC)‐reinforced Ti6Al4V (Ti64) metal–matrix‐composite (MMC) structures. The objective was to improve upon Ti64's wear and oxidation resistance. The characterization techniques consisted of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), backscattered electron (BSE) imaging, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Vickers micro‐ and nanoindentation‐derived hardness, as well as tribological testing at varying normal loads. DED produced compositions were of Ti64, Ti64 + 5 wt.% NbC (5NbC), and Ti64 + 10 wt.% NbC (10NbC). Electron micrographs revealed crack‐ and delamination‐free structures. Tribological analysis revealed a 25.1% reduction in specific wear rate. XRD and EDS results indicated the presence of a Ti‐Nb solid solution. It was deduced that the NbC particles coupled with the Ti‐Nb solid solution aided in increasing Ti64's resistance to plastic shear as the superficial microstructure remained unchanged compared to pure Ti64. Additionally, TGA displayed a reduction in total oxidation mass gain and suppressed oxidation kinetics to parabolic behavior with increased NbC. Application‐based composite structures with site‐specific mechanical properties were fabricated in the form of a composite cylinder, gear and compositionally graded cylinder. The graded cylinder displayed a 0%–45%NbC presence—end‐to‐end—equating to a hardness increase from 161.6 ± 4.0HV0.2to 1055.9 ± 157.4HV0.2.
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Zirconia-Toughened Alumina Coated Ti6Al4V via Additive Manufacturing
Processing and characterization for zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) coatings on Ti6Al4V (Ti64) alloy by directed energy deposition (DED)-based additive manufacturing (AM) is presented here. The objective of the study was to achieve a dense ZTA coating with the intent of providing an alternative to fully ceramic implants for articulating surfaces of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Preliminary work resulted in failed samples due to cracking, porosity, and delamination. After careful parameter optimization, a Ti64+5wt.%ZTA (5ZTA) composition produced a metallurgically sound and coherent coating with minimal porosity. Additionally, bulk structures were also feasible with the optimized coating parameters. Characterization of the 5ZTA composition displayed a 27.0% increase in hardness, 25% reduction in normalized wear rate, an increase in contact resistance during in vitro tribological testing along with a faster surface re-passivation post-tribological testing.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1934230
- PAR ID:
- 10282716
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Materials letters
- Volume:
- 129577
- ISSN:
- 0167-577X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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