TiN coatings on Ti15Mo alloys for enhanced two-body wear performance in dental applications

ABSTRACT Ti15Mo alloys have recently been attracted in biomaterials due to its favourable mechanical and biocompatibility properties. However, the wear resistance of this alloys should be improved for dental applications. The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of a TiN film on two-body wear properties of the Ti15Mo alloy. The microstructure properties of uncoated and TiN film-coated alloys were comparatively investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and microhardness measurement systems. The wear performance of uncoated and coated samples has also been evaluated using a dual-axis computer-controlled wear simulator device in distilled water. Following the completion of the two-body wear test procedures, the mean wear volume loss of all test samples was determined utilising a non-contact 2D and 3D profilometer. The two-body wear resistance of TiN film-coated alloys was superior to that of the uncoated alloys. The coated samples exhibited enhanced wear resistance, which was accompanied by an increase in hardness and a reduction in surface roughness. The mean wear volume loss of coated samples was lower than the other group samples irrespective of test conditions.