Effects of Thermal Oxidation Temperature on Tribocorrosion Performance of TC4 Alloy in Physiological Saline Solution

The tribocorrosion performance of TC4 titanium alloy after thermally oxidized(TO) in atomosphere was discussed. The effect of TO temperature on the characteristics of the oxide layer and tribocorrosion performance of TC4 alloy obtained at temperature range of 500~900 ℃ was evaluated. The results show that the TO layer consisted of three sections: top layer of TiO_2, and α-Al₂O₃, sub-surface layer of TiO₂, and oxygen diffusion zone. TO temperatures have a significant influence on the phase structure, surface hardness, and tribocorrosion resistance of TO layers. TO samples, obtained after treated at 700 ℃, offer best tribocorrosion resistance in 0.9% NaCl solution for higher surface hardness, more noble corrosion potential, and lowest mass loss in comparison with other TO ones and TC4 substrate.