Fabrication of nano-grained Ti–Nb–Zr biomaterials using spark plasma sintering

• Published in: Materials & design 2015-12, Vol.87, p.693-700
• Main Authors: Hussein, M.A., Suryanarayana, C., Al-Aqeeli, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biomaterials; Densification; Density; Mechanical alloying; Microstructure; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Scanning electron microscopy; Spark plasma sintering; Surgical implants; Titanium base alloys; Ti–Nb–Zr alloy
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2015.08.082

Nanostructured near-β Ti–20Nb–13Zr at % alloy with non-toxic elements and enhanced mechanical properties has been synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of nanocrystalline powders obtained by mechanical alloying. The consolidated bulk product was characterized by density measurements and Vickers hardness (HV), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural details. The temperature during spark plasma sintering was varied between 800 and 1200°C, while the heating rate and holding time of 100°K/min and 10min were maintained constant in all the experiments. The effect of SPS temperature on the densification, microstructure, and HV was discussed. The results show that a nearly full density structure was obtained after SPS at 1200°C. The microstructure of the obtained alloy is a duplex structure with the α-Ti (hcp) region having an average size of 70–140nm, surrounding the β-Ti (bcc) matrix. The obtained alloy was chemically homogenized with a micro hardness value, HV of 660. The developed nanostructured Ti–20Nb–13Zr alloy is suggested for biomedical use as in implant material in dental and orthopedic applications. [Display omitted] •A novel preparation route is reported for nano-grained near-β Ti–20Nb–13Zr at % alloy MA+SPS.•Nano grains of 100–300nm and hardness of 660HV were obtained.•The microstructure of the obtained alloy is a duplex structure with the α-Ti (hcp) region surrounding the β-Ti (bcc) matrix.•The developed nano-grained alloy is candidate for use as in implant material in dental and orthopedic applications.