Friction-Induced Graphene Oxide Coating on 3D Printed Titanium

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Solution Overview

Problem

The surface of 3D printed titanium alloy components exhibits poor tribological performance and high friction coefficients, limiting their application, and existing surface modification methods like laser cladding and magnetron sputtering introduce negative effects such as thermal stress and sample deformation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of spherical TC4 titanium alloy powder and graphene oxide to create an abrasion-resistant coating through selective laser melting, followed by a friction-induction process to infiltrate graphene oxide into the titanium alloy surface, maintaining the material's original properties while enhancing tribological characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surface modification methods (laser cladding, magnetron sputtering, ion implantation) are used to improve tribological performance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but thermal stress and sample deformation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetribological performanceVSAvoidthermal stress and sample deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal-based surface modification methods (laser cladding, magnetron sputtering, ion implantation) with a friction-induction method that uses mechanical friction to generate heat locally at the contact interface. This substitution eliminates the need for external heat sources that cause thermal stress and deformation, while still achieving surface modification through controlled frictional heating and graphene oxide infiltration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of heat generation from external application (traditional methods) to internal generation through friction (induction method). By controlling friction parameters (pressure, speed, duration) rather than thermal parameters (temperature, heating rate), the process achieves surface modification without the harmful thermal effects associated with conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If friction-induction process is used to infiltrate graphene oxide, then tribological performance is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetribological performanceVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction-induction process is self-regulating: the frictional heat generated during the process automatically facilitates graphene oxide infiltration without requiring external temperature control systems. The mechanical friction itself provides the necessary thermal energy for the chemical reactions and material infiltration, eliminating the need for separate heating apparatus and simplifying the overall process control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively improves the tribological performance of 3D printed titanium alloy components by reducing wear debris and increasing surface abrasion resistance, retaining the material's excellent properties.

Implementation Method 1

adding the dried TC4 titanium alloy powder into a powder supplying bin of a selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printer, setting reasonable laser scanning parameters, laser-scanning and stacking the TC4 titanium alloy powder layer by layer until a sample is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective laser melting: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 2

performing reciprocating friction-induction operations along the planned path to infiltrate the graphene oxide powder into the 3D printed titanium alloy sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11684973B2Method for producing an abrasion-resistant coating on surface of 3D printed titanium alloy components
Publication Date: 2023.06.27 JIANGNAN UNIV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing an abrasion-resistant coating on surface of a 3D printed titanium alloy component, which belongs to the field of surface modification. The method comprises using spherical TC4 titanium alloy powder as a base material and adopting selective laser melting (SLM) technology to manufacture a 3D printed titanium alloy component in a layer-by-layer stacking manner, using graphene oxide to perform friction-induction treatment, and making the graphene oxide infiltrate into the surface of the TC4 titanium alloy component to obtain a graphene oxide surface coating. The goal of improving the friction and wear performance of the TC4 titanium alloy printed components is achieved. The preparation method is simple, and the steps are easy to operate. Introducing the graphene oxide is beneficial to reduce the generation of wear debris during the friction and wear processes and improve tribological characteristics of the base material.