Microstructure evolution of Ti–6Al–4V under cold rolling + low temperature nitriding process

A new nitriding process modifying both the surface and the matrix is proposed to improve the poor wear resistance and low hardness of the titanium alloy surface. The treatment of solid solution treatment, cold rolling and low temperature nitriding was used for surface modification. The results showed that the microstructure of the Ti–6Al–4V(TC4) titanium alloy sample changed from the original α+β phase to the residual α phase, metastable β phase and martensite α′ phase after solution treatment. The results of cold rolling experiments indicated that with the increase of rolling amount, many defects generated, and the grains were first elongated and then partially broken. During the process of low-temperature nitriding the recrystallization occurred, which effectively avoided the problem of coarse matrix structure. It has been found that after low-temperature nitriding, thin strip-like α-phase with dispersed distribution, which is a typical aging structure, formed. The XRD test results indicate that steady state nitrides Ti2N formed on the surface of the sample, but the content of Ti2N was relatively low. Based on the morphology of content of the surface and cross-section it is believed that a special type of nitriding layerformed after low-temperature nitriding. The mechanical performance test results indicate that the wear resistance and hardness of the alloy increased significantly.