A new antibacterial titanium–copper sintered alloy: Preparation and antibacterial property

Copper element was added in pure titanium by a powder metallurgy to produce a new antibacterial titanium–copper alloy (Ti–Cu alloy). This paper reported the very early stage results, emphasizing on the preparation, mechanical property and antibacterial activity. The phase constitution was analyzed by XRD and the microstructure was observed under SEM equipped with EDS. The hardness, the compressive strength and the corrosion resistance of Ti–Cu alloy were tested in comparison with cp-Ti. The antibacterial property of the Ti–Cu alloy was assessed by two methods: agar diffusion assay and plate-count method, in which Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were used. XRD and SEM results showed that Ti₂Cu phase and Cu-rich phase were synthesized in the Ti–Cu sintered alloy, which significantly increases the hardness and the compressive strength compared with cp-Ti and slightly improves the corrosion resistance. No antibacterial activity was detected by the agar diffusion assay on the Ti–Cu alloy, but the plate-count results indicated that the Ti–Cu alloy exhibited strong antibacterial property against both bacteria even after three polishing treatments, which demonstrates strongly that the whole alloy is of antibacterial activity. The antibacterial mechanism was thought to be in associated with the Cu ion released from the Ti–Cu alloy.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of interfacial reaction between CBN and titanium activated Ag–Cu alloy

Abstract

Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis was performed in order to study the interfacial reaction mechanism of cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasive grains and Ti activated Ag–Cu filler alloy during high temperature brazing. Meanwhile, microstructure of the interfacial layer was experimentally detected using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in the present paper. The results indicate that according to the thermodynamic theory, the interfacial reaction has been proved feasible, and during brazing the special active element Ti concentrated to and reacted with the CBN abrasive to form TiB₂ and TiN, which joined hard the abrasive grain and steel substrate. Furthermore, the diffusion activation energy of the growing process in the interfacial reaction layer has discovered that the layer growth largely depends on the new formed TiN under conditions of 1153–1193 K and 5–30 min.     

Hydrogen content in titanium and a titanium–zirconium alloy after acid etching

Dental implant alloys made from titanium and zirconium are known for their high mechanical strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance in comparison with commercially pure titanium. The aim of the study was to investigate possible differences in the surface chemistry and/or surface topography of titanium and titanium–zirconium surfaces after sand blasting and acid etching. The two surfaces were compared by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and profilometry.The 1.9 times greater surface hydrogen concentration of titanium zirconium compared to titanium was found to be the major difference between the two materials. Zirconium appeared to enhance hydride formation on titanium alloys when etched in acid. Surface topography revealed significant differences on the micro and nanoscale. Surface roughness was increased significantly (p < 0.01) on the titanium–zirconium alloy. High-resolution images showed nanostructures only present on titanium zirconium.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of copper–titanium–nitrogen multiphase layers produced by a duplex treatment on C17200 copper–beryllium alloy

In this study, a copper–titanium–nitrogen multiphase coating was fabricated on the surface of C17200 copper–beryllium alloy by deposition and plasma nitriding in order to improve the surface mechanical properties. The phase composition, microstructure and microhardness profiles of the as-obtained multiphase coating were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Vickers microhardness measurements, respectively. Pin-on-disk tribometer and SEM equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were applied to measure tribological properties and analyze wear mechanisms involved. The XRD results show that the phase composition changes with nitriding temperature. The Ti₂N layer is replaced by a Cu–Ti intermetallic layer when the nitriding temperature is higher than 700 °C. The Cu/Ti ratio in the multiphase coatings remains at a constant value of 2:1 due to the incorporation of nitrogen atoms. The surface hardness achieves a maximum value of 983 HV at 650 °C, and decreases as the nitriding temperature increases. The increased hardness corresponds to the improved wear resistance and decreased frictional coefficient and the surface hardness is proportional to the wear rates. The wear mechanism depends on the phase composition of the multiphase coatings. With the nitriding temperature increasing, the oxidative wear mechanism changes to adhesive and abrasive mode.     

Electrochemical deposition of Ag–Sn alloys onto copper and titanium plates

In this paper, we report a detailed study of the thermal properties of a peritectic Ag–Sn alloy electrochemically deposited onto copper and titanium plates in order to produce soldered contact structures. A comparative analysis of Ag and Sn codeposition and layer-by-layer deposition processes is presented.     

Effect of titanium on copper–titanium/carbon nanofibre composite materials

Copper/carbon nanofibre composites containing titanium varying from 0.3 wt.% to 5 wt.% were made, and their thermal conductivities measured using the laser flash technique. The measured thermal conductivities were much lower than predicted. The difference between measured and predicted values has often been attributed to limited heat flow across the interface. A study has been made of the composite microstructure using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. It is shown in these materials, that the low composite thermal conductivity arises primarily because the highly graphitic carbon nanofibre structure transforms into amorphous carbon during the fabrication process.     

The segregation of copper and silicon in Al–Si–Cu alloy during electromagnetic centrifugal solidification

The present paper investigates the segregation of copper and silicon in an Al–1wt%Cu–1wt%Si alloy solidified under the co-action of centrifugal and electromagnetic forces. The reasons for the solute segregation and the effect of electromagnetic force on segregation are discussed. Tubular samples cut from the solidified alloy are analyzed, the results showing that the segregation of copper and silicon occurs along the normal direction of the samples and that the electromagnetic field has a remarkable influence on the segregation of both copper and silicon. As the exciting current increases, the segregation of copper decreases, while the segregation of silicon first increases and then decreases. The migration of solute atoms in the melt depends not only on the density difference between the solute and aluminum atoms, but also on the strength of the electromagnetic force. The magnetic force changes the rotation velocity of the melt, reduces the migration velocity of copper and causes the reduction of copper segregation. Because of the difference of the electrical conductivity between the solute and the aluminum melt, the reductions of velocity are not equal.     

Effect of thermo-mechanical treatment on properties improvement and microstructure changes in copper–gold alloy

This paper reports on the changes in hardness, microhardness, electrical conductivity and microstructure using the optical and scanning electron microscopy of the copper-based alloy with 4.5 at.% gold, during the complex thermo-mechanical treatment, which is used to create the conditions for development of anneal hardening effect. It was shown that the increase of deformation degree during both the prefinal and final rolling resulted in the increase of hardness, microhardness and electrical conductivity values, due to changes in the microstructure caused by the cold plastic deformation. The differences in the initial microstructure of the homogenized and quenched samples created the different deformation strengthening rates. Low-temperature annealing of the finally rolled samples contributed to a further increase of the above properties due to the anneal hardening effect. The improvement of the properties during the annealing was accomplished in two stages, and the best combination of properties was achieved in the second stage of hardening after annealing at 260 °C. Minor changes in the microstructure were noticeable during the annealing at 260 °C, but the EDS analysis showed a significant change in the concentration of gold atoms within the grain.     

Fabrication and characterisation of aluminium clad aluminium–copper alloy cored rod

Abstract

The Ohno continuous casting process was successfully applied to cast cored rod with Al–Cu alloy as a core material and Al as a clad material. Good metallurgical bonding was observed at the core/clad interface. Ultrasonic characterisation and pulse–echo measurements were performed to assess the suitability of the material as an acoustic buffer rod. Acoustic velocity profiles across the rod diameter and acoustic anisotropy were measured using a 225 MHz line focus beam scanning acoustic microscope. Longitudinal wave measurements with excellent signal/noise ratios were obtained.

MST/3154     

Influence of N and Fe on α-Ti precipitation in the in situ TiC–titanium alloy composites

High strength with high ductility can be achieved in the titanium alloys by using metal precipitated ceramic particle as reinforcement. In this work, α + β or β-Ti alloy composites were prepared with α-Ti precipitated TiC particles. A series of Ti–Fe–C–N alloys were prepared and a constitutional diagram was constructed as a function of N and Fe contents. Two criteria were identified for the formation of α-Ti precipitation. One is the existence of Ti₂C phase and the other is the presence of α-Ti phase in the matrix. The mechanism of α-Ti formation from the Ti₂C phase is discussed.     

Structural and composition analysis of Apex™ and Foturan™ photodefinable glasses

Little is known about photostructurable glasses when compared to quartz and the other glass families. This article investigates optical and thermal behavior of the two commercially produced Apex? and Foturan? photosensitive glasses in relation to their composition. A composition analysis is performed on the two glasses using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and UV spectroscopy. Cerium and silver were found to exist at higher concentrations in Foturan than in Apex glass. Difference in transmission in the 240–340 nm window is mainly attributed to the different concentrations of cerium and silver in the glasses. Infrared transmission in the range of 2.7–5.0 μm is improved following an annealing process. Structural stability over a different range of temperatures in the two photosensitive glasses is investigated, and is attributed to the silica content at the expense of lithium oxide. Raman spectroscopy shows that the UV-exposed-then-baked photosensitive glass, results in the formation of a uniform crystalline-phase lithium metasilicate with a preponderantly Q₂ species.     

Short communication Aging induced deformation and its restoration in copper–beryllium alloy

Abstract

An anomalous phenomenon has been found during an investigation of the effect of external stress on the aging behaviour of a copper–beryllium alloy. The phenomenon is a reversible shape change, i.e., a large spontaneous deformation during aging under an elastic stress and its restoration by a re-solutionising treatment. The aging induced deformation is closely related to the hardening behaviour of the alloy.     

Surface analysis and electrochemical behavior of Ti–20Zr alloy in simulated physiological fluids

An advanced Ti–20Zr alloy was obtained by double vacuum melting in a semi-levitation furnace with cold crucible. The alloy shows fully lamellar α + β microstructure. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization curves revealed that the alloy passivated easier, more rapid than Ti, having a more stable passive film in Ringer solutions of different pH values, simulating severe functional conditions of an implant. In neutral and alkaline Ringer solutions, the alloy passive film improved its properties in time (1500 h) by the deposition of protective hydroxyapatite, as was demonstrated by XPS, SEM, EDX, Raman and FT-IR measurements. Alloy presented lower corrosion rates and higher polarization resistances (from linear polarization measurements) than those of Ti (tens of times) proving a more resistant passive film. Alloy open circuit potentials had more electropositive values in comparison with Ti and tended to nobler values in time, which denote better passive state and its enhancement in time, due to the new depositions from the physiological solutions. Nyquist and Bode spectra depicted a more protective passive film on the alloy surface than on Ti surface. The passive film is formed by two layers: an inner barrier layer and an outer porous layer. An electric equivalent circuit with two time constants was modeled.     

Phase separation in immiscible silver–copper alloy thin films

Far from equilibrium, immiscible nanocrystalline Ag–Cu alloy thin films of nominal composition Ag–40 at.% Cu have been deposited by co-sputter deposition. Both X-ray and electron diffraction studies indicate that the as-deposited films largely consist of nanocrystalline grains of a single alloyed face-centered cubic (fcc) phase. However, detailed three-dimensional atom probe tomography studies on the same films give direct evidence of a nanoscale phase separation within the columnar grains of the as-deposited Ag–Cu films. Subsequent annealing of these films at 200 °C leads to two effects; a more pronounced nanoscale separation of the Ag and Cu phases, as well as the early stages of recrystallization leading to the breakdown of the columnar grain morphology. Finally, annealing at a higher temperature of 390 °C for a long period of time leads to complete recrystallization, grain coarsening, and a complete phase separation into fcc Cu and fcc Ag phases.     

Electroslag crucible melting of age hardening copper–chromium alloy

Abstract

The electroslag crucible melting process, developed on the well established principles of electroslag refining, has been used to cast age hardening Cu–0·5Cr alloys using copper scrap. Initial trials have demonstrated the viability of electroslag crucible melting for producing cast alloys with low impurity content and superior tensile properties. The castings produced by electroslag crucible melting are of high quality in terms of surface finish and casting defects. The cast alloy could be successfully drawn into wire of diameter 3 mm.

MST/3368     

Some aspects on plastic deformation of copper and copper–titanium carbide powder metallurgy composite preforms during cold upsetting

The densification, workability and strain hardening behaviour of sintered copper and Cu–7.5%TiC powder metallurgy (P/M) composite preforms during cold upsetting were investigated by the constitutive model using the experimental data. Cold upsetting of copper and Cu–7.5% TiC composite preforms having different aspect ratios were carried out and the formability behaviour of the preforms under triaxial stress state was determined. The mechanisms most likely involved in the constitutive model, namely, densification and strain hardening were studied. The effects of aspect ratio and addition of titanium carbide to copper on the formability behaviour and various constants involved in the constitutive model, namely, instantaneous density coefficient, instantaneous strain hardening index, instantaneous strain rate sensitivity and instantaneous strength coefficient were discussed in detail.     

Interfacial characterization of alumina-to-alumina joints fabricated using silver–copper–titanium interlayers

Two Ag–Cu–Ti interlayers with different compositions (Ag–35.3Cu–1.75Ti and Ag–26.7Cu–4.5Ti) were used to join sintered polycrystalline Al₂O₃ having different amounts of porosity to investigate the effect of titanium and porosity contents on evolution of interfacial chemistry and microstructures. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the interfacial microstructure. Two reaction layers, Ti₂O and Cu₃Ti₃O, were found at the interface of Ag–Cu–Ti interlayers and Al₂O₃ using a series of simulated and experimental selected area diffraction patterns (SADP) of TEM and EDS. The total thickness of Ti₂O and Cu₃Ti₃O reaction layers at the interfaces increases with increasing amounts of Ti in the Ag–Cu–Ti interlayers but is independent of the porosity content in the Al₂O₃. Two possible formation mechanisms of Ti₂O and Cu₃Ti₃O reaction layers at the interface of Ag–Cu–Ti interlayers and Al₂O₃ have been proposed based on the interfacial characterization performed in the present study.     

Hot tearing mechanisms of B206 aluminum–copper alloy

In this study, the mechanisms of hot tearing in B206 aluminum alloy were investigated. Castings were produced at three mold temperatures (250 °C, 325 °C and 400 °C) and with two levels of titanium (0.02 wt% and 0.05 wt%) to investigate the effects of cooling rate and grain refinement. A constrained-rod casting mold attached to a load cell was used to monitor the contraction force during solidification and subsequently determine the onset temperature of hot tearing in B206. The corresponding onset solid fraction of hot tearing was estimated from the solid phase evolution of α-Al in B206 using in situ neutron diffraction solidification analysis. Hot tears were found to occur at solid fractions ranging from 0.81 to 0.87. Higher mold temperatures significantly reduced hot tearing severity in B206 but did not alter the onset solid fraction. In contrast, additions of titanium to B206 were effective at eliminating hot tears by transforming the grain structure from coarse dendrites to finer and more globular grains. Finally, in situ neutron diffraction solidification analysis also successfully determined the solid phase evolution of intermetallic Al₂Cu during solidification, which in turn, provided a better understanding of the role of Al₂Cu in the development of hot tears in B206.     

Microstructures and properties of titanium–copper lap welded joints by cold metal transfer technology

Cold metal transfer (CMT) welding has been successfully used to weld dissimilar metals widely. However, a few investigations were carried out on the lap welding of commercially pure titanium TA2 to pure copper T2 with ERCuNiAl copper wire by CMT technique. In this paper, the affected mechanism of lapped location between the two metals on the microstructure and tensile shear strength of joints was revealed. The results indicated that satisfactory lapped joints between commercially pure titanium TA2 and pure copper T2 could be achieved by CMT welding method. A layer of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), i.e. Ti₂Cu, TiCu and AlCu₂Ti presented in titanium-weld interface, and the weld metal was composed of α-Cu solid solution and Ti–Cu–Al–Ni–Fe multi-phase. The two joints had almost same tensile shear strength, 192.5–197.5 N/mm, and fractured in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of Cu with plastic fracture mode during tensile shear tests.