Tribological functionalization of titanium alloys by Micro-Arc Oxidation for marine applications

Abstract

Micro-arc Oxidation (MAO) process is a plasma assisted electrochemical process, which allows formation of ceramic-like dry oxides on top of light alloys surfaces. The good corrosion resistance as well as the low density of titanium alloys are recognized and so required for conception of structural parts in marine environment. However, their tribological behaviour reveals an important tendency to stick-slip phenomenon, which makes use of these alloys for dynamic contact mechanisms difficult. Through the MAO project from IRT M2P, formation of a MAO coating composed of aluminium titanate has been investigated to improve tribological behaviour of a commercially pure titanium (Grade 2) and an α+β alloy (TA6V, Grade 5). Pin-on-disc testing has been carried out to evaluate friction coefficient and the presence or not of stick-slip phenomenon in various contact configurations (involving non-treated titanium surfaces, MAO treated surfaces, with steel or titanium balls …) in dry or artificial seawater media. Those test campaigns are completed by evaluation of fatigue behaviour, and tribological testing on a demonstrator. Finally, this study highlights influence of MAO coating on diminishing (to removed) stick-slip phenomenon, accompanied by a reduction of friction coefficient, whatever the kind of contact (single treated surface or both ones) and the medium.