TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SILVER DOPED TITANIUMNITRIDE COATINGS

The properties of titanium nitride (TiN:Ag) coatings applied by physical vapour phase deposition technique(PVD) on Ti13Nb13Zr alloy were subject to evaluation. The study presents the results of surface geometricalstructure, adhesion and tribological tests. The geometric structure of the surface was examined using opticalmicroscopy. A scratch test was used to assess adhesion. The model tribological tests were carried out ina rotary motion under technically dry friction conditions, lubricated with Ringer’s solution. In the case oftechnically dry friction, the analysis of the tribological test results indicated that the TiN:Ag coating wascharacterised by higher resistance to motion and lower wear compared to Ti13Nb13Zr. Friction coefficientsregistered during friction subject to lubrication with Ringer’s solution were compared for both materials;however, the surface wear was significantly lower in titanium alloy. The scratch test pointed towards highadhesion of the TiN:Ag coating. The study results provide insight into Ti13Nb13Zr alloy, titanium nitridecoatings and their potential use for surgical instruments.