Effect of Ti(3)SiC(2) and Ti(3)AlC(2) Particles on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Microarc Oxidation Layers on TC4 Alloy

Microarc oxidation (MAO) layers were prepared using 8g/L Na(2)SiO(3) + 6g/L (NaPO(3))(6) + 4g/L Na(2)WO(4) electrolyte with the addition of 2g/L Ti(3)SiC(2)/Ti(3)AlC(2) particles under constant-current mode. The roughness, porosity, composition, surface/cross-sectional morphology, and frictional behavior of the prepared MAO layers were characterized by 3D real-color electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, and with a tribo-tester. The results showed that the addition of Ti(3)SiC(2) and Ti(3)AlC(2) to the electrolyte reduced the porosity of the prepared layers by 9% compared with that of the MAO layer without added particles. The addition of Ti(3)SiC(2)/Ti(3)AlC(2) also reduced the friction coefficient and wear rate of the prepared layers by 35% compared with that of the MAO layer without added particles. It was found that the addition of Ti(3)AlC(2) particles to the electrolyte resulted in the lowest porosity and the lowest wear volume.