@article{HornbergerRandowFleck, author = {Hornberger, Helga and Randow, Clemens and Fleck, Claudia}, title = {Fatigue and surface structure of titanium after oxygen diffusion hardening}, series = {Materials Science \& Engineering A}, volume = {630}, journal = {Materials Science \& Engineering A}, doi = {10.1016/j.msea.2015.02.006}, pages = {51 -- 57}, abstract = {The characterization of oxygen diffusion zone in titanium and the effect of this zone on macroscopic properties are still of high interest for a base to predict and to enhance life time of titanium and titanium alloy components. The aim of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the impact of oxygen on fatigue properties of oxygen diffusion hardened Ti and Ti alloys. Oxygen diffusion hardening implies two process steps, first the oxidation of the surface and secondly the diffusion of oxygen into metal matrix. Due to the one-step treatment used in this study the oxidation step could take place easily avoiding scaling and grain boundary diffusion. In spite of this precaution, the fatigue properties in the present study were found to be decreased after the performed oxygen diffusion hardening. The reason for the reduction of mechanical properties were claimed to be oxide clusters on the surface acting as crack initiation sites. Comparison and discussion with literature revealed varying partially contradictory fatigue results. Therefore precise analysis of the fatigue failure is necessary as a base for further development of the oxygen diffusion hardening.}, language = {en} }