The Effect of Frictional Temperature Rise on the Wear Mechanism of 3d Printed Tc4 Alloy Under Different Loads and Environmental Temperatures

Abstract

This work investigates the role of friction-induced temperature rise in governing wear mechanisms of Ti-6Al-4V alloys manufactured by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). Reciprocating sliding wear tests were conducted under a wide temperature (25–400 °C) and load (5–60 N) range, with interfacial temperature continuously monitored using embedded K-type thermocouples. A non-monotonic variation appeared in the coefficient of friction with temperature, corresponding to transitions in wear mechanisms. At higher temperatures and loads, the wear rate was reduced by 72.32%. A temperature–load wear mechanism map was developed, revealing a transition from abrasive to adhesive and oxidative wear as frictional temperature increasing. These findings highlight the critical influence of thermal effects on tribological performance in additively manufactured titanium alloys.

Keywords: 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V, Frictional heating, Reciprocating sliding wear, Wear mechanisms