The effect of Zr on the microstructure and properties of Ti-35Nb-XZr alloy

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing, 2016-10, Vol.675, p.1-10
• Main Authors: Málek, Jaroslav, Hnilica, František, Veselý, Jaroslav, Smola, Bohumil, Kolařík, Kamil, Fojt, Jaroslav, Vlach, Martin, Kodetová, Veronika
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beta-titanium alloys; Biocompatibility; Corrosion resistance; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Recrystallization; Surgical implants; Titanium base alloys; Zirconium
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2016.07.069

The demand for biomaterials with high strength, low modulus, excellent biocompatibility and good corrosion resistance has led to the development of new alloys. Zirconium is known as a biocompatible element that can be used for alloying in titanium alloys. The effect of Zr on the mechanical and structural properties of a titanium alloy is studied in this paper. Binary Ti-35Nb alloy has been alloyed with various amounts of Zr (2, 4, 6 or 8wt%). The specimens were thermo-mechanically processed (hot forged, solution treated 850°C/0.5h/water quenched, cold swaged and finally aged (at 400°C or 450°C for various periods). Cold-swaged alloys possess tensile strength of about 800MPa, along with a low Young's modulus (~50GPa). The elongation of all the alloys is more than 12%. The hardness increased during 400°C annealing up to 370 HV10. The addition of Zr stabilized the β-phase and supports recrystallization and recovery processes. Corrosion resistance was also increased by the addition of Zr.