Surface Microstructure and Performance of Anodized TZ30 Alloy in SBF Solution

Abstract

Anodization is performed on the Ti-30Zr-5Al-3V (TZ30) alloy to improve its surface performance. X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Olympus microscope are used to determine the phase constitution, morphology, and thickness of the anodization film (AOF). Tribological tests and electrochemical corrosion experiments are carried out to measure, respectively, the wear behavior and corrosion resistance of AOFs in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. The microstructure characteristic of the AOF anodized at low voltage (20 V) is composed of compact and loose regions. As the applied voltage increases to 60 V, the compact regions transform progressively into loose regions, and then grow into nanotube regions. Besides, an increase in thickness of the AOF from 8.6 ± 4.61 μm to 20.7 ± 2.18 μm, and a gradual increase in surface microhardness from 364.6 ± 14.4 HV to 818.4 ± 19.3 HV, are also exhibited as the applied voltage increases from 20 V to 60 V. Specimens anodized at 40 V and 60 V have a low friction coefficient (~0.15) and wear rate (~2.2 mg/N/m) in the SBF solution. The enhanced wearability originates from the high hardness and various wear mechanisms. Potentiodynamic polarization curves suggest that the corrosion resistance in the SBF solution of all anodized specimens is greatly improved, thanks to the protection from the anodized TiO2 film.