Morphology and Chemical Composition of Silicon Carbide Surface in Interaction with Titanium Alloy under Micro-Scratching Conditions

The article describes features of the wear site morphology formation during micro-scratching of a titanium alloy by a silicon carbide crystal in comparison with a corundum crystal. The initial shape of the crystal top and the rate of micro-scratching were assumed to be constant. No lubricating or cooling process media were used. External factors: micro-scratch depth and cutting path length. The chemical composition of wear sites was studied using micro-x-ray spectral analysis. The content of chemical elements in the surface layer of silicon carbide and adhered metal was studied at separate points and by area scanning. The accelerating voltage of the excitation electrons was changed in the range from 5 to 20 kV. The concentration of chemical elements on the surface of the wear site was determined immediately after micro-scratching and after removing the adhered metal by etching. The regularities of changes in the concentration of chemical elements depending on the accelerating voltage of the excitation electrons were determined.