Titanium–Silicon–Nitrogen Composites with High Wear Resistance in Water and in Artificial Sea Water

Titanium–silicon–nitrogen (Ti‐Si‐N) composites were produced from a mixture of Si 3 N 4 , titanium nitride (TiN), and titanium by spark plasma sintering to develop wear‐resistant materials with good environmental and biological compatibilities in water and sea water. The Ti‐Si‐N composite consisted of Si 3 N 4 , TiN, and titanium metal‐rich particles coated with TiSi x . Results of sliding tests in water and in artificial sea water showed that the wear resistance of the Ti‐Si‐N composite was much better than that of the titanium metal.