Pin-on-disk tests were performed to evaluate the wear behaviour of a 2024 aluminium alloy metal matrix composite (MMC) reinforced with 52 vol.% of TiC particles (Al-2024/TiC) in a fabricated and thermal-treated (T6) condition. The MMC was produced via pressureless infiltration of partially sintered TiC preforms with an average particle size of 1.1 μm at 1200 °C for 2 h under flowing argon. Microstructural and mechanical characterisation were carried out on both the monolithic alloy (MM) and the MMC with and without heat treatment. The effect of T6 heat treatment on the tribological behaviour of MMC has been investigated under dry sliding wear conditions under normal loads of 2, 5 and 10 N against ceramic α-Al₂O₃ and SAE 52100 steel spherical counterparts. Results indicate a substantial improvement in the microhardness (289–343 HV), hardness (25–34 HRC), and wear resistance of the MMC after T6 heat treatment (1 × 10⁻³ to 5 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm). For a better understanding of the wear mechanisms, surfaces of the worn tracks were studied. Oxidation and abrasion were found as the dominant wear mechanisms in both MM and MMC samples. Even though MM exhibited a lower coefficient of friction (COF) (0.50–0.80), composites showed superior wear resistance by 5-fold higher than the base alloy.

This work investigates the effect of Ta particle addition into a Ti6Al4V alloy processed by solid state sintering. The volume fraction of Ta ranged between 0 and 30 vol.-%. The sintering kinetics of powder mixes are evaluated by dilatometry. Sintered materials are characterised by SEM and XRD, and their mechanical properties are obtained from microhardness and compression tests. Sintering behaviour and final microstructure are affected by Ta particles, which slow down the densification, lower the temperature of α-to-β phase transition and stabilise the β phase. Mechanical properties, as microhardness, Young’s modulus and yield stress, depend on the microstructure reached after sintering and on the residual porosity. An equation expressing the Young’s modulus of Ti6Al4V/xTa alloy as function of x and porosity is proposed and validated. The materials with at least 20 vol.-% of Ta exhibited a high strength to modulus ratio, which is suitable for orthopaedic implants.