Abstract
Surface composition, the pore size and pore distribution of microporous titanium carbide were investigated to understand the potential use of titanium alloys in the field of artificial joints. The tribological behaviours of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were investigated to evaluate the potential value of microporous titanium carbide coating on titanium alloys. The result showed that the uniform microporous titanium carbide coating was formed on the substrate of titanium alloys with a porosity of 24.4% after sequential carburization. It was found that the nanohardness values of the bottom and the edges of the pore were significantly increased and kept approximately the same value. Finally, the results also revealed that microporous titanium carbide could not only decrease the friction coefficient, but also decrease the wear rate of UHMWPE.
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