TiSurf®

is a sustainable, environmentally friendly, flexible ceramic/metal material with outstanding tribological properties that enables exciting new applications for for titanium

TiSurf® - New Solution Titanium

TiSurf® is a process that converts the surface of the metallic titanium into a ceramic titanium nitride.

The TiSurf® diffusion method transforms the titanium from the surface down through the metal, providing a hardness gradient that increases from the interior of the metal (115 ‐ 460 HV) through to the surface (up to 3 100 HV). The thickness of the titanium nitride layer can also be controlled in the conversion process.

TiSurf® provides real hybrid material possibilities!

TiSurf® is approved for titanium (grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 23) and zirconium.

Features

  • Surface is 3x harder than hard chrome
  • Excellent tribological properties
  • Extremly low friction
  • High wear resistance
  • High strength-to-weight ratio
  • Exceptional good corrosion resistance
  • Biocompatible
  • Heat resistant
  • Non magnetic

Advantages

  • Lower energy consumption
  • Reduced maintenance
  • High corrosion resistance
  • Ultra-low friction
  • Less lubrication
  • Lighter weight
  • Low-noise
  • Longer "green" lifecycle
  • Sustainability

Early applications

  • NASA satellite probe systems, seven projects since Cassini in 1997
  • Drivetrain and suspension in racing since 1992, e.g. F1, MX and LeMans
  • Separation of blood plasma
  • Blood vessel valves
  • Hydraulic rods for oil platforms

Markets

  • Aerospace industry
  • Automotive industry
  • Energy sector
  • Process industry
  • Off-shore industry
  • Marine industry
  • Medical industry
  • Consumer market

Components

  • Shafts
  • Tubes
  • Fixings
  • Bearings
  • Pistons
  • Bolts and nuts
  • Cylinders
  • Valves
  • Hydraulic systems
  • Prostheses

Visions

  • New constructions/ structures
  • New designs
  • Lighter structures
  • More energy efficient
  • Improved environment
  • More profitable business
  • Increased competitiveness through improved production methods
TISURF ENGINE PISTON WRIST PINS
TiSurf components
TiSurf components

TiSurf® 1 & 3

TiSurf® is a ceramic/metal hybrid material with a surface of titanium nitride and a core of titanium. The titanium surface is chemically converted to titanium nitride by means of a depth hardening nitration process that is patent-pending. (TiSurf® Trademark EU: 014632822 and US: 5,070,814)

TiSurf® 1

TiSurf® 1 processing consists of nitration in a vacuum. The process can be steered to provide the relevant functional characteristics of the titanium components. It is appropriate for all applications where extended service intervals and reduced friction are desired, such as in piston rods, hydraulic details, tubes, valves and fasteners. TiSurf® 1 is well suited to implement as a step in a value chain for traditional industry production, including turning and milling.

TiSurf® 3

TiSurf® 3 processing combines ”double” hardening nitration, over pressure (HIP) and quenching. It provides a deeper hardening than TiSurf® 1. Every step in the process, nitration, HIP and quenching, can be controlled to design the functionality of the components.

It is suitable for high performance applications, eg. aerospace, defense, process, and energy industries. TiSurf® 3 is ideal as part of a value chain with net shape production, such as 3D printing and pressing of powder. TiSurf® 3 (Patent: SE540497C2).

A hardening, not a coating

TiSurf®

  • A surface hardening, not a coating
  • Becomes “one” with the substrate
  • Nitrogen diffuses into the substrate’s titanium surface and converts the surface to titanium nitride (TiN)
  • The result is a compact hybrid material of ceramic and metal

Versus other methods

PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition:
  • A physical process where a thin layer of the film material (e.g. TiN) is deposited on the substrate through condensation
  • The result is a layer of coating that has variable strength of ties
  • Tendency to flake
CVD, Chemical Vapor Deposition:
  • CVD is an atmosphere controlled process that creates a thin film coating (e.g. TiN) through reactions between gases and substrates
  • The result is a coating with a chemical/metallurgical binding of variable strength
  • Tendency to flake

TiSurf® components vs. steel components

TiSurf Shock absorber Piston rods

Shock absorber rods

  • 40% lower variable weight
  • No hard chrome
  • Surface evenness at nanoscale level
  • No corrosion
  • Better traction
  • Shorter braking distance
  • Lower fuel consumption

Finer surface provides less friction. Lower friction provides better handling. Better road handling provides shorter braking distances and lower fuel consumption, as well as greater comfort for passengers.

Engine Piston pins

Engine Piston wrist pins

  • 40% lower variable weight
  • Surface evenness at nanoscale level
  • Withstands higher temperatures*
  • Withstands higher loads
  • Lower emissions
  • Lower fuel consumption

Higher operating temperature of the engine produces less emissions and lower fuel consumption, but requires components that can withstand higher temperatures.

*Steel: 300-500o C, 800-1150 HV, hardness decreases with temperature.
TiSurf®: 400-750 C, 2900-3100 HV, hardness highly temperature stable.

Specifications

TiSurf Titanium Gr1 TiSurf Titanium Gr2 TiSurf Titanium Gr5 TiSurf Titanium Gr9
Color TiN Gold Gold Gold Gold
Weight Ti, g/cm3 4.51 4.51 4.42 4.51
Elastic Modulus Ti, GPa 105 - 120 105 - 120 107 - 122 100 - 103
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Ti, m m-1 °C-1 9.5 x 10-6 9.5 x 10-6 9.4 x 10-6 9.4 x 10-6
Proof strength Ti, Rp0.2 MPa min 220 275 - 450 825 - 910 483
Tensile strength Ti, Rm MPa min 345 345 895 620
Elongation Ti, A % min 35 2 10 15
Hardness TiN outermost layer, HV 2 900 - 3 100 2 900 - 3 100 2 900 - 3 100 2 900 - 3 100
Hardness Ti2N second layer, HV 1 200 - 1 500 1 200 - 1 500 1 200 - 1 500 1 200 - 1 500
Hardness Ti, HV 115 220 330 250 - 280
Melting point Ti, °C 1 670 1 665 1 604 - 1 660 1 700
Thermal conductivity Ti, W/m-K 16 16.4 6.7 8.3
Friction TiN against steel, dry, μ 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Friction TiN against TiN, dry, μ 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

The data and other information contained herein are derived from a variety of sources which SentinaBay AB believes are reliable. Because it is not possible to anticipate specific uses and operating conditions, such as titanium quality and titanium parts construction, SentinaBay AB urges you to consult with our technical service personnel on your particular applications.

Sources: http://www.haraldpihl.se/attachments/226_titan.pdf, http://smt.sandvik.com/se/produkter/tube-pipe-fittings-and-flanges/tubular-products/titanium-tubes/#tab-mechanical-properties, https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium, http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MTU010, http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MTA321, http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet.aspx?matguid=c27e9d21a20a4d2fb2332abba2379c7a&n =1&ckck=1, http://www.tct.it/assets/titanium-ti3al2.5v-gr-9---alpha-annealed.pdf, http://www.titaniuminfogroup.co.uk/userfiles/files/PDFs/data-sheet-1.pdf, http://www.timet.com/datasheets-and-literature, Materials Properties Handbook: Titanium Alloys, R. Boyer, G. Welsch, and E. W. Collings, eds. ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 1994, Structural Alloys Handbook, 1996 edition, John M. (Tim) Holt, Technical Ed; C. Y. Ho, Ed., CINDAS/Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 1996.

Interested in TiSurf®?
Contact SentinaBay.

The owner of TiSurf® technology is SentinaBay AB.


Address

Office: Kyrkogatan 1, 792 30 Mora, Sweden

Mail: SentinaBay AB, c/o NewSoTech,
Box 256, SE792 24 Mora


Phone

+46 250 141 00