Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Wear Behavior of AlTiN Coating on Titanium Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V)

In this study, the wear behavior of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) AlTiN coated on the titanium alloy was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze input factors, such as load (A), sliding speed (B), and sliding distance (C), while wear mass loss (WML) and coefficient of driction (COF) were considered as the response parameters. The statistical analysis shows that main factors, that is, interaction of AC and pure quadratic terms B2 and C2, have maximum influences on WML. However, COF was highly affected by load, sliding speed, and interaction of AB and quadratic term A2. The present work attempts to carry out empirical modeling to predict output response on WML and COF. Desirability-based optimization technique was employed to obtain minimum WML and COF. Microscopy images of the wear tracks reveal visible grooves and scratches that confirm abrasive wear to be the primary wear mechanism accompanied by adhesive wear. The investigation concluded that AlTiN has better wear resistance properties and can be used to coat titanium implants for biomedical application. The result shows that the minimum WML and COF have been found at applied load 15 N, sliding speed at 0.5 m/s, and sliding distance 500 m.