Effect of Nitriding and Oxidizing on Wear and Corrosion Resistances of Zirconium-Alloyed Titanium Alloy

The effect of oxidizing and nitriding on the structure, tribological properties and corrosion resistance of alloy VT18u with zirconium, niobium and tin additions used to replace the cytotoxic vanadium for biomedical applications is studied. The thermochemical treatment is shown to affect positively the wear resistance of the alloy. The wear resistance is the highest after nitriding, but the corrosion resistance of the nitrided specimens is somewhat lower than in the initial condition. The corrosion resistance of the oxidized coatings is somewhat lower than in the initial state. However, both coatings reduce the resistance of VT18u to preferential corrosion. The results obtained make it possible to recommend the alloy for biomedical applications. The final choice of the method of surface hardening of the alloy will depend in the results of an additional check of its biocompatibility.