J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2021, Vol. 69: 7-14.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2020.03.092

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influence of Nb addition on microstructural evolution and compression mechanical properties of Ti-Zr alloys

Pengfei Ji, Bohan Chen, Bo Li, Yihao Tang, Guofeng Zhang, Xinyu Zhang, Mingzhen Ma, Riping Liu*()   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
  • Received:2020-03-07 Revised:2020-03-29 Accepted:2020-03-31 Published:2021-04-10 Online:2021-05-15
  • Contact: Riping Liu
  • About author:*E-mail address: riping@ysu.edu.cn (R. Liu).

Abstract:

In order to expand the application horizon of Ti-Zr based alloys, the influence of Nb content on phase composition, microstructural evolution and biomechanical properties is systematically studied. The phase and microstructural characterization of the as-cast alloys is carried out by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that Nb-containing Ti-Zr alloys transformed from single α phase → α + α+ β phase → single β phase → double β phases with increasing Nb content. In the case of β-type alloys, the addition of Nb improves the bonding energy between atoms, reduces the grain size, increases the elastic modulus, improves the yield strength and renders superior work-hardening behavior. Moreover, the current study provides mechanistic insights into microstructural evolution and strengthening of Nb-containing Ti-Zr alloys with increasing Nb content. Herein, the addition of 5 at.% Nb resulted in an abnormal work hardening during compression deformation under the synergistic influence of stress-induced martensite transformation of β phase and stress-induced twinning of α phase. Moreover, the biomechanical properties are evaluated to demonstrate the potential of Nb-containing Ti-Zr alloys in biological applications.

Key words: Ti-Zr based alloy, Biomaterials, Microstructural evolution, Mechanical properties