Improved tribocorrosion behavior on bio-functionalized β-type titanium alloy by the pillar effect given by TiN reinforcements

A novel multi-functional material was developed by hard TiN particle reinforcement addition to a β-type Ti alloy, following by bio-functionalization of its surface through Ca and P rich oxide layer. Corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of this multi-functional material was investigated in phosphate buffer solution at body temperature. Bio-functionalization drastically improved the corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of the unreinforced and reinforced samples, where the bio-functionalized β-type titanium alloy matrix composite presented the best tribocorrosion behavior due to the load-carrying role of the hard reinforcement phase that gave a support to the functionalized surface layer.