Structure and tribological behavior of submicrocrystalline titanium modified with nitrogen ions

The influence of combined treatment including intensive plastic deformation and ion-beam nitriding on the structure and tribological behavior of VT1–00 titanium alloy is studied. Intensive plastic deformation of titanium is shown to result in the formation of submicrocrystalline structure and 50–60% greater hardness of the alloy with tribological properties remaining unchanged. Implantation of nitrogen ions into titanium at 620–820 K results in the formation of a hard solution in the matrix α phase, which provides an increase in the microhardness of the modified layer up to 3500–3700 MPa and an increase in the alloy wear resistance by about 30 times, as well as a decrease in the coefficient of friction by 40%.