Tailoring Tribological Characteristics in Titanium Alloys by Laser Surface Texturing and 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanocoating

The inferior tribological properties of titanium (Ti) and its alloys, due to their limited work hardening capability and the mechanical instability of their oxide scale, pose substantive challenges in practical applications. Surface texturing and the application of 2D material coatings are acknowledged as efficacious strategies for enhancing these properties. Nevertheless, the rapid loss of effectiveness when employing these methods in isolation highlights a significant limitation. Herein, a 50-nm-thick MXene nanocoating is deposited onto groove-textured pure Ti surface, effectuating a reduction in the coefficient of friction (COF) from ≈0.57 to 0.17, thereby substantially mitigating wear on the Ti substrate. The grooved surface architecture plays a vital role in storing MXenes and facilitating lubricant replenishment through the stirring effect of frictional stress during subsequent friction process. Further, the continuous decomposition and reorganization of MXene coating results in the formation of a robust tribofilm that resists oxidation and plastic deformation in the subsurface layer, markedly enhancing the friction and wear resistance. These findings are crucial for improving tribological performance in Ti and its alloys and provide a straightforward yet effective strategy for tailoring their tribological properties by integrating LST with 2D material nanocoating.