Scientists at Tomsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS) have developed an innovative method for creating boron compounds in titanium surface layers, boosting coating wear resistance fivefold.

Scientists crack the code for ultra-durable titanium coatings

According to Russia's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the breakthrough is in high demand for medical device manufacturing and the tool-making industry.

The technique relies on controlled synthesis of borides—reinforcing particles that significantly strengthen the material's surface. Researchers liken the process to assembling lasagna: a titanium sample is alternately coated with boron-containing and boron-forming films in precise thickness ratios. These layers are then treated with a pulsed electron beam, which melts the films and triggers the formation of boride particles. The cycle is repeated multiple times, ultimately producing a nanocomposite coating composed of a titanium matrix embedded with reinforcing titanium diboride particles.

As research fellow Yevgeny Yakovlev explained, earlier attempts to use electron-beam irradiation struggled to achieve controlled formation of the desired boride particles within the titanium matrix. The new method overcomes this challenge. By testing various processing parameters, the team identified the optimal conditions: at an energy density of 3.5 joules per square centimeter, the composite coatings form with the highest concentration of nanoparticles up to 100 nanometers in size. This specific regime delivers record-breaking wear resistance—five times greater than conventional coatings, TASS reports.