Microstructure and wear resistance of laser melted Ti₅Si₃-TiCo-Ti₂Co multiphase intermetallic alloys

Ti₅Si₃-TiCo-Ti₂Co multiphase intermetallic alloy with wear resistant has been fabricated by laser melt deposition process. The microstructure of intermetallic alloys is characterized by OM, SEM, XRD and EDS and the wear properties are evaluated in the room-temperature dry sliding wear conditions and the wear mechanism is discussed. It is found that the Ti₅Si₃-TiCo-Ti₂Co multiphase intermetallic alloy has an excellent wear resistance under room-temperature dry sliding wear conditions. The wear mass loss increases very slowly, and the wear mass loss rate increases first then decreases with wear time increasing due to the high hardness of Ti₅Si₃, and the abnormal yield strength of intermetallics with temperature and the formation of smearing-layer on the worn surface.