Friction/wear properties of magnetron sputtered TiB_2-TiN composite films on Ti6Al4V alloy substrate

The microstructure and friction/wear properties of TiB2-TiN composite films in SiC/TiB2-TiN double layer films(SiC film as interlayer) deposited on Ti6Al4V alloy substrate using magnetron sputtering at room temperature were investigated. The results showed that the TiB2-TiN composite films exhibited the micro-structural characteristics with nano-scale particles(domains), and that all the interfaces among the substrate, SiC film and TiB2-TiN composite films showed good bonding, with large and gradual element diffusions. When sliding against a Si3N4(silicon nitride) ball(2mm in radius) using ball-on-disc type wear tester at room temperature under Kokubo simulation body fluid and 200g load, the TiB2-TiN composite films exhibited the friction coefficient of about 0. 22 and the specific wear rate on the order of about 10-6mm3/(m·N). In addition, it was found that the TiB2-TiN composite films had great adhesion effect on elements(Ca, P) in Kokubo simulation body fluid.