Possibilities and Prospects for Improving the Tribological Properties of Titanium and Its Alloys by Electrospark Deposition.

This paper discusses the essence and technological characteristics of the process of electrospark deposition (ESD), its advantages and disadvantages with a view to its application for improving the tribological properties of titanium and its alloys. A summary of the available data and results in the literature devoted on the ESD of titanium and its alloys has been made. Based on the published data, a comparative analysis of the technical parameters and technological capabilities of the most common equipment, including contactless ESD, is presented. The geometrical and physico-mechanical characteristics of the coatings obtained with different equipment and the nature of their change depending on the technological parameters of the ESD mode and the type of the anode and cathode materials are shown. A summary of the data on the wear resistance of the coatings obtained with different electrode materials and modes are given. It has been demonstrated that ESD can be successfully applied to improve the wear resistance of titanium surfaces. Suitable electrode materials and process parameters for ESD on titanium alloys are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]