THE INFLUENCE OF ION IMPLANTATION ON THE PROPERTIES OF Ti6Al4V TITANIUM ALLOY IN BIOTRIBOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

摘要

The article is devoted to the assessment of the geometrical structure of the surface as well as the mechanical and tribological properties of the surface layers obtained in the process of ion implantation. The titanium alloy Ti6Al4V used in biotribological systems was implanted with nitrogen and argon ions. Investigations of the geometrical structure of the surface before and after the tribological tests were carried out using confocal microscopy. The hardness of the tested materials was determined by the instrumental indentation method using a Vickers indenter. A nanotribometer was used for tribological tests. The tests were carried out in a reciprocating motion under conditions of technically dry friction and friction with the lubrication of Ringer's solution. SEM scanning microscopy was used to determine the width of the wear pattern and the wear mechanism. The conducted research showed that the hardness of the tested materials increased as a result of ion implantation. The tribological tests showed that the use of ion implantation improves the tribological properties, and the dominant wear mechanism was abrasive wear.