Improving the Tribological Properties of Ti6Al4V Alloy with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Additions

Adewale Adegbenjo, Peter Olubambi, Johannes Potgieter

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of varied weight fractions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the dry sliding wear characteristics of Ti6Al4 V were investigated in this study. Dry sliding wear tests were conducted at three applied load levels of 5, 15 and 25 N on spark plasma sintered unreinforced Ti6Al4V alloy and MWCNTs reinforced Ti6Al4V composites containing 1, 2 and 3 wt% MWCNTs respectively sintered at 1000 °C. The ball-on-flat test configuration with tungsten carbide (WC) as the counterface material was used during the tests. Wear scars and debris were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) techniques. It was observed that the wear resistances and coefficients of friction for the composites were significantly improved over that of the unreinforced Ti6Al4V alloy. Worn surface analysis showed the prevalent wear mechanisms at low and high applied loads were adhesive and abrasive wears respectively. Wear debris analysis by EDX showed the presence of tungsten (W), which suggests a transfer layer of the counterface material. Wear resistance enhancement in the composites was directly related to the extent of MWCNTs dispersion within Ti6Al4V matrix, the interfacial bond strength between the matrix and the reinforcement, as well as the presence of hard TiC interfacial product.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationStructural Integrity
PublisherSpringer
Pages55-61
Number of pages7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Publication series

NameStructural Integrity
Volume5
ISSN (Print)2522-560X
ISSN (Electronic)2522-5618

Keywords

  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Dry sliding wear
  • Ti6Al4V alloy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanics of Materials

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