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Use of SiC and Ti powders for electrospark deposition of cermet coatings on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy

https://doi.org/10.17073/1997-308X-2026-2-61-70

Abstract

The effect of SiC-to-Ti powder ratio in the electrode on electrospark deposition and the properties of Ti–Si–C cermet coa­tings on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy was investigated. Cathode mass decreased monotonically with increasing in SiC content in the electrode. The resulting coatings were 44.7–54.6 µm thick. Under low-voltage electrical discharge conditions, silicon carbide reacted with titanium melt to form titanium carbide (TiC) and titanium silicide (Ti5Si3 ). The coating structure contained TiC and Ti5Si3 crystallites, together with a small amount of SiC residual inclusions. The SiC inclusions exhibited poor adhesion to α-Ti. The carbon and silicon contents of the coatings increased monotonically with increasing SiC content in the electrode. All coa­tings were highly hydrophobic, with water contact angles exceeding 120°. Their microhardness ranged from 9.2 to 12.2 GPa. The Ti–Si–C coatings had lower coefficients of friction than the uncoated titanium alloy. The coating deposited using an electrod powder mixture containing 40 vol. % SiC and 60 vol. % Ti had the highest hardness and wear resistance. This coating increased the wear resistance of Ti6Al4V alloy components by a factor of 30.

About the Authors

A. A. Burkov
Khabarovsk Federal Research Center of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

Alexandr A. Burkov – Cand. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Senior ResearchScientist, Head of the Laboratory of Physicochemical Fundamentals of Materials Technology

153 Tikhookeanskaya Str., Khabarovsk 680042, Russia



S. V. Nikolenko
Khabarovsk Federal Research Center of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

Sergey V. Nikolenko – Dr. Sci.  (Eng.), Acting Director, Institute of Materials Science

153 Tikhookeanskaya Str., Khabarovsk 680042, Russia



N. A. Shelmenok
Far Eastern State Medical University
Russian Federation

Natalya A. Shelmenok – Student

29 Pushkin Str., Khabarovsk 680000, Russia



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Review

For citations:


Burkov A.A., Nikolenko S.V., Shelmenok N.A. Use of SiC and Ti powders for electrospark deposition of cermet coatings on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy. Powder Metallurgy аnd Functional Coatings (Izvestiya Vuzov. Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya i Funktsional'nye Pokrytiya). 2026;20(2):61-70. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17073/1997-308X-2026-2-61-70

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ISSN 1997-308X (Print)
ISSN 2412-8767 (Online)