Output details

Formation of wear resistant coatings on Ti-6Al-4V by calciothermic reduction

This paper reports a breakthrough in removing oxygen from metal-injected-moulded titanium net-shape parts*, lowering oxygen from an unacceptable 2100ppm to 500ppm, demonstrating routine production of inexpensive, low interstitial Ti-6Al-4V components with the added benefit of a wear-resistant TiN surface. (patent CI-ESSE, Italy). Ti-alloys provide high strength-to-weight, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, but currently high processing costs limit applications as titanium's affinity for interstitials, particularly oxygen, requires procedures such as inert gas casting and machining. Using these processes to manufacture small, complex parts produces large quantities of unrecyclable scrap – this research solves this long-standing issue. *Todd Morton todd.w.morton@boeing.com