Enhanced strength and wear resistance of a titanium-oxygen alloy with core-shell network structure

An enhanced sliding wear resistance of a novel core-shell Ti-O (CS-TiO) structured alloy combined with superior compressive properties relative to a commercial pure Ti (CP-Ti) compact is reported. The wear volume, area fraction of transfer layer in the contact zone and 0 content on the worn scars (O-at%) were determined under various conditions. For CS-TiO, the prominent enhancement in wear resistance by more than 2 times is related to the increased O-at% and improved yield strength, from 420 MPa in CP-Ti to 1210 MPa, which can effectively prevent it from experiencing serious adhesion and plastic deformation respectively. The study opens a new sight for microstructural design of anti-wear Ti alloys and composites: promoting tribo-oxidation reaction as well as improving strength.