Influence of Al2O3 addition on the hardness and in vitro corrosion behavior of laser synthesized Ti-Al2O3 coatings on Ti-6Al-4V

Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) has been mostly used for medical implants due to its good chemical and mechanical properties. However, this alloy has tendency to emanate toxic V and Al due to its low corrosion resistance in body conditions. In this work, an experimental study of laser cladding Ti-Al2O3 coatings with different Al2O3 fractions (5 wt.% Al2O3, 8 wt.% Al2O3, and 10 wt.% Al2O3) was carried out to establish a coating which could improve the hardness and corrosion resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Laser parameters of 900 W power, 0.6 m/min laser scan speed, and 2 l/min powder feed were used in this research. The microstructure, phase constituents, microhardness, and corrosion of the resultant coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscope (OPM), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Vicker hardness tester, and potentiostat respectively. Results showed that a defect free coating was achieved at a coating with less Al2O3 content. Increase in Al2O3 addition resulted in increment of hardness with Ti-10 wt.% Al2O3 coating achieving an optimum hardness of about 2.2 times greater than that of the substrate. Moreover, considerable increment in corrosion resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was achieved after laser deposition of various Ti-Al2O3 admixed coatings. An optimal corrosion rate reduction of about 81% and polarization resistance increment of 709% over the substrate were achieved at Ti-5 wt.% Al2O3 due to low porosity within the coating layer. It has been established that fabricating Ti-Al2O3 on Ti6Al4V through laser could be used in improving the surface hardness values and corrosion resistance.