Comparison of friction and wear behavior of ti-6al-4v alloy produced by additive manufacturing and casting

Titanium alloys are preferred in many industries, including aviation, medical, and automotive, primarily due to their low density and high strength. Titanium alloys, especially Ti-6Al-4V alloy, are extensively used in the aviation sector and other industries such as automotive and medical where high temperatures are encountered. Ti-6Al-4V alloy is currently the most preferred titanium alloy and the subject of extensive research. Titanium alloys used in the aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors are subject to wear due to the relative motion of components. In this study, samples produced using casting and additive manufacturing methods from Ti-6Al-4V alloy were prepared for surface examinations for microstructure analysis. Surface microhardness measurements were taken from the samples whose surfaces were examined under a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and an optical microscope. The samples were subjected to pin-on-disc wear tests at room temperature, 300°C, and 600°C under a 10 N load over a distance of 500 m. Friction coefficients were recorded instantly during the tests. After the tests, wear channels were examined with FESEM, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed in the identified regions. The results showed that wear rates increased with temperature for each sample, and additive manufacturing samples exhibited higher wear rates at each temperature test compared to the cast sample. When examining friction coefficients, an increase in average friction coefficients was observed as the temperature increased from room temperature to 300°C, while a decrease was observed when the temperature increased to 600°C. Keywords: Additive manufacturing, Ti-6Al-4V, Friction coefficient, Microhardness, Wear