Wear and oxidation behavior of Ti-7Al-1Mo/TiN composites fabricated via spark plasma sintering

Abstract The research on the alloys of titanium (Ti) has been extensive due to the need for materials with remarkable resistance to oxidation and wear in demanding applications including the automotive, aerospace, and marine sectors. Even though they have excellent qualities, they frequently require improvements due to the harsh tribological environments they encounter. This study focuses on the ternary alloy of titanium-aluminum-molybdenum (Ti-7Al-1Mo) and its composite (Ti-7Al-1Mo/titanium nitride (TiN)). Utilizing spark plasma sintering (SPS) method, we fabricated these materials with varying TiN weight percentages (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt.%). The microstructural analysis revealed a transition from lath-like morphology to a bimodal structure as TiN content increased. The presence of intermediate Ti 2 N phases and hard TiN within the α-Ti matrix was confirmed. Wear tests indicated improved wear resistance in composites, especially at higher TiN fractions, while oxidation resistance increased with TiN content. This research demonstrates the potential of Ti–Al-Mo/TiN composites in high-performance applications, highlighting the nuanced relationship between TiN reinforcement, microstructural evolution, mechanical, and oxidation properties.