Cr and Cr-Mo coatings on titanium alloy surface prepared by ion-beam enhanced deposition

Cr and Cr-Mo coatings were prepared on the substrate of Ti6Al4V alloy with multi-function ion-beam enhanced deposition (IBED) equipment in order to improve the wear resistance of the alloy. The microstructures, morphologies, component distributions, hardness and bonding strength of coatings were studied by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, glow-discharge photo-electron spectroscope and micro-hardness tester, respectively. The wear resistance and electrochemical corrosion properties of IBED coatings were investigated with ball-on-disk wear tester and electrochemical equipment, respectively. The results show that the denser, harder and nanometer crystalline Cr and Cr-Mo coatings with higher bonding strength can be prepared on titanium alloy surface by IBED method. The IBED Cr and Cr-Mo coatings significantly improve the wear resistance of Ti alloy surface, and the coatings have good corrosion resistance, low galvanic corrosion sensitivity and contact compatibility with titanium alloy in solution containing Cl^-.