Oxidation resistance of spark plasma sintered Ti6Al4V-TiN composites

This work investigate the elevated temperature oxidation of Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al4V-xTiN composites using thermal gravimetric analyser (TGA) in air at 45-800 degrees C. Samples prepared for the study were developed by spark plasms sintering technique at a temperature of 1000 degrees C with a holding time of 6 min under a pressure of 50 MPa. The alloy was admixed with varying proportions of TiN varying from 5 to 15 wt% and the effect of the ceramic additions on the thermally gravimetric analyzed samples were investigated. Scanning electron microscope attached with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to explore the oxide layer formed on the surface of the samples. The phases present in the oxidized samples were observed by energy dispersive X-ray diffraction spectrometer (XRD). Microhardness property was studied by the means of high impact diamond Dura scan micro hardness tester. The results showed that the reinforced Ti6Al4V with TiN significantly improved the oxidation resistance, and hardness of Ti6Al4V alloy which is compactable and beneficial for aerospace application. Ti-6Al-4V alloy reinforced with 5 wt %TiN yielded better results, with improved hardness value of 881.15 HV and less weight gain which indicates high temperature oxidation resistance. Published by Elsevier B.V.