Microtwin formation in the α phase of duplex titanium alloys affected by strain rate

The effect of tensile strain rate on deformation microstructure was investigated in Ti-6-4 (Ti-6Al-4V) and SP700 (Ti-4.5Al-3V-2Mo-2Fe) of the duplex titanium alloys. Below a strain rate of 10⁻² s⁻¹, Ti-6-4 alloy had a higher ultimate tensile strength than SP700 alloy. However, the yield strength of SP700 was consistently greater than Ti-6-4 at different strain rates. The ductility of SP700 alloy associated with twin formation (especially at the slow strain rate of 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹), always exceeded that of Ti-6-4 alloy at different strain rates. It is caused by a large quantity of deformation twins took place in the α phase of SP700 due to the lower stacking fault energy by the β stabilizer of molybdenum alloying. In addition, the local deformation more was imposed on the α grains from the surrounding β-rich grains by redistributing strain as the strain rate decreased in SP700 duplex alloy.     

Spine rod straightening as a possible cause for revision

In a previous study, the authors examined the elastic and short-term anelastic springback of Ti6Al4V, CoCrMoC and A316L stainless steel spine rods to observe how the rods mechanically respond in OR contouring. In that study rods were 200?mm long and only the movement at the tip was recorded. The implication of that work was that rods will straighten in-vivo, however, in order for the mechanism of straightening to be determined, the movement of individual bends over time must first be elucidated. Spine rods used were, commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) a primarily α-phase; Ti-6Al-4V; α/β-phase titanium alloy from two different suppliers (denoted by, Ti-6Al-4V (L) and Ti-6Al-4V); β-phase titanium (TNTZ) and CoCrMoC. Following contouring the rods were aged unconstrained, in normal atmosphere or simulated body fluid (SBF) in a CO₂ incubator for up to 288?h. Elastic springback is significantly different between alloys with different microstructures. Both types of Ti6Al4V rods, while meeting the ASTM F136 industry standard, have significantly different properties, most importantly yield strength, flexural modulus, and springback. Environment showed no significant impact on anelasticity. The anelastic response of Ti6Al4V L sample, which has relatively more beta phase than the Ti6Al4V sample, follows the pure beta phase TNTZ in its extended time response. CoCrMoC and CP Ti have a very reduced anelastic response compared to the other alloys. This potentially can have unanticipated effects on the outcome of spine procedures, as the surgeon is reliant on the rods having similar properties to achieve a desired outcome.     

Fibroblast Adhesion and Proliferation on a New β Type Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr Alloy for Biomedical Application

Cell attachment and spreading on Ti-based alloy surfaces is a major parameter in implant technology. Ti39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy is a new β type Ti alloy developed for biomedical application. This alloy has low modulus and high strength, which indicates that it can be used for medical purposes such as surgical implants.To evaluate the biocompatibility and effects of the surface morphology of Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr on the cellular behaviour, the adhesion and proliferation of rat gingival fibroblasts were studied with substrates having different surface roughness and the results were also compared with commercial pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V. The results indicate that fibroblast shows similar adhesion and proliferation on the smooth surfaces of commercial pure titanium (Cp Ti), Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, and Ti-6Al-4V, suggesting that Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr has similar biocompatibility to Cp Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. The fibroblast adhesion and spreading was lower on rough surfaces of Cp Ti, Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr and Ti-6Al-4V than on smooth ones. Surface roughness appeared to be a dominant factor that determines the fibroblast adhesion and proliferation.     

应用于医学的ECAP处理Ti及Ti合金的研究现状

综述了目前国际上应用于医用生物材料的等通道挤压(Equal-channel angular pressure,ECAP)处理工业纯钛和钛合金的研究进展,介绍了等通道挤压技术的最新进展,ECAP处理工业纯钛的微观组织演变,ECAP处理后Ti的强度、抗疲劳性、耐腐蚀性和生物活性的改善以及ECAP处理Ti-6Al-4V的超塑性和超塑变形后的微观组织,最后展望了未来的研究方向。     

Comparison of fatigue strengths of biocompatible Ti-15Zr-4Nb-4Ta alloy and other titanium materials

The fatigue strength of an annealed Ti-15Zr-4Nb-4Ta alloy at 1 × 10⁸ cycles was approximately 730 MPa. The fatigue strength of its alloy was much improved following an ageing treatment after a solution treatment. The tension-to-tension fatigue strengths of annealed Ti-6Al-4V, V-free Ti-6Al-7Nb, Ti-6Al-2Nb-1Ta, and Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al alloys at 1 × 10⁸ cycles were approximately 685, 600, 700, and 350 MPa, respectively. The ratios of fatigue strength at 1 × 10⁸ cycles to ultimate tensile strength for the α- and (α + β)-type Ti materials were higher than 65%.     

Structure and vibration characteristics of Ti-Al-Mo-V alloy

Ti-5Al-2.5Mo-1.4V rolled plates were subjected to solid-solution heat treatment at 870 or 930^∘C for 1 h and aged for 1–8 h at 460^∘C to investigate the relationship between the microstructure and the vibration characteristics of the alloy. According to the experimental results, the S870 solid solution matrix contains α + α′ + β structures and the S930 solid solution specimen possesses α +α′ structures (β transus is ∼ 900^∘C). Increasing the α′ phase content improves strength and hardness but reduces ductility. It also promotes internal friction and thus increases damping. During the 460^∘C aging process, the α′ phase in the β region of S870/Ah grows and transforms into a finer needle structure and the primary α phase (bounded by prior β grain boundary) of S930/Ah grows within the α′ matrix. Both S830/Ah and S930/Ah reveal similar tendencies in mechanical properties with increased aging time. When the aging time exceeds 1 h, S870/Ah, having a large quantity of β phase, has a better vibration damping ratio than S930/Ah (containing a great quantity of primary α phase).     

Nanostructured severe plastic deformation processed titanium for orthodontic mini-implants

Titanium mini-implants have been successfully used as anchorage devices in Orthodontics. Commercially pure titanium (cpTi) was recently replaced by Ti-6Al-4 V alloy as the mini-implant material base due to the higher strength properties of the alloy. However, the lower corrosion resistance and the lower biocompatibility have been lowering the success rate of Ti-6Al-4 V mini-implants. Nanostructured titanium (nTi) is commercially pure titanium that was nanostructured by a specific technique of severe plastic deformation. It is bioinert, does not contain potentially toxic or allergic additives, and has higher specific strength properties than any other titanium applied in medical implants. The higher strength properties associated to the higher biocompatibility make nTi potentially useful for orthodontic mini-implant applications, theoretically overcoming cpTi and Ti-6Al-4 V mini-implants. The purposes of the this work were to process nTi, to mechanically compare cpTi, Ti-6Al-4 V, and nTi mini-implants by torque test, and to evaluate both the surface morphology and the fracture surface characteristics of them by SEM. Torque test results showed significant increase in the maximum torque resistance of nTi mini-implants when compared to cpTi mini-implants, and no statistical difference between Ti-6Al-4 V and nTi mini-implants. SEM analysis demonstrated smooth surface morphology and transgranular fracture aspect for nTi mini-implants. Since nanostructured titanium mini-implants have mechanical properties comparable to titanium alloy mini-implants, and biocompatibility comparable to commercially pure titanium mini-implants, it is suggestive that nanostructured titanium can replace Ti-6Al-4 V alloy as the material base for mini-implants.     

Fibroblast Adhesion and Proliferation on a New β Type Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr Alloy for Biomedical Application

Cell attachment and spreading on Ti-based alloy surfaces is a major parameter in implant technology. Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy is a new β type Ti alloy developed for biomedical application. This alloy has low modulus and high strength, which indicates that it can be used for medical purposes such as surgical implants. To evaluate the biocompatibility and effects of the surface morphology of Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr on the cellular behaviour, the adhesion and proliferation of rat gingival fibroblasts were studied with substrates having different surface roughness and the results were also compared with commercial pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V. The results indicate that fibroblast shows similar adhesion and proliferation on the smooth surfaces of commercial pure titanium （Cp Ti）, Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, and Ti-6Al-4V, suggesting that Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr has similar biocompatibility to Cp Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. The fibroblast adhesion and spreading was lower on rough surfaces of Cp Ti, Ti-39Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr and Ti-6Al-4V than on smooth ones. Surface roughness appeared to be a dominant factor that determines the fibroblast adhesion and proliferation.     

Mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V specimens produced by shaped metal deposition

Shaped metal deposition is a novel technique to build near net-shape components layer by layer by tungsten inert gas welding. Especially for complex shapes and small quantities, this technique can significantly lower the production cost of components by reducing the buy-to-fly ratio and lead time for production, diminishing final machining and preventing scrap. Tensile testing of Ti-6Al-4V components fabricated by shaped metal deposition shows that the mechanical properties are competitive to material fabricated by conventional techniques. The ultimate tensile strength is between 936 and 1014 MPa, depending on the orientation and location. Tensile testing vertical to the deposition layers reveals ductility between 14 and 21%, whereas testing parallel to the layers gives a ductility between 6 and 11%. Ultimate tensile strength and ductility are inversely related. Heat treatment within the α+β phase field does not change the mechanical properties, but heat treatment within the β phase field increases the ultimate tensile strength and decreases the ductility. The differences in ultimate tensile strength and ductility can be related to the α lath size and orientation of the elongated, prior β grains. The micro-hardness and Young’s modulus are similar to conventional Ti-6Al-4V with low oxygen content.     

Effect of Nb coating on the sulphidation/oxidation behaviour of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The environmental response of Nb-coated Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy was studied at 750 °C in an atmosphere of pS₂ ∼ 10⁻¹ Pa and pO₂ ∼ 10 ⁻¹⁸ Pa. By acting as a diffusion barrier and through the formation of a Nb_1−xS scale the Nb coating deposited enhanced the corrosion resistance of both Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The corrosion products generated on uncoated titanium in the same environment and temperature were characterized by a double layered oxide scale of TiO₂ beneath which a TiS₂ layer was formed. For the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, α-Al₂O₃ was precipitated in the external portion of the outer-layer of TiO₂ whilst a layer containing Al₂S₃, TiS₂ and vanadium sulphide (possibly V₂S₃) was idenitified underlying the inner TiO₂ layer. After prolonged exposure (168 h), the Nb coating deposited on Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy was consumed. A scale following the sequence of TiO₂/TiO₂+NbO₂+Nb₂O₅/Nb_1−xS/TiO₂/ TiS₂/(substrate) was observed on the surface of the Nb-coated Ti, whilst a scale with sequence of TiO₂/V₂S₃/TiO₂+NbO₂+Nb₂O₅/Nb_1−xS/TiO₂/Al₂S₃+TiS₂/(substrate) characterized the corrosion products formed on the Nb-coated Ti-6Al-4V alloy.     

Subzero tensile properties of 7010 aluminium alloy and Ti-6A1-4V and IMI550 titanium alloys in sheet form

Tensile properties are reported for Al-6Zn-2.5Mg-1.7Cu-0.12Zr (7010), Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-4Al-4Mo-2Sn-0.5Si (IMI550) alloy sheet, 1.7 mm thick tested at 293, 223, 173 and 77 K. The strength of these alloys increased and the reduction of area decreased with decreasing test temperature. The Young's Modulus (E), 0.1% proof stress (σ_0.1) and true tensile strength ($\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{TS}}$) were related to temperature T in degrees absolute (in the range 293-173 K for E and 293-77 K for σ_0.1 and $\text{σ}$_TS) by     

Measurement of the heat of fusion of titanium and a titanium alloy (90Ti-6Al-4V) by a microsecond-resolution transient technique

A microsecond-resolution pulse heating technique was used for the measurement of the heat of fusion of titanium and a titanium alloy (90Ti-6Al-4V). The method is based on rapid (50- to 100-s) resistive self-heating of the specimen by a high-current pulse from a capacitor discharge system and measuring, as functions of time, current through the specimen, voltage across the specimen, and radiance of the specimen. Melting of the specimen is manifested by a plateau in the measured radiance. The time integral of the net power absorbed by the specimen during melting yields the heat of fusion. The values obtained for heat of fusion were 272 J · g^–1 (13.0 kJ · mol^–1) for titanium and 286 J · g^–1 for the alloy 90Ti-6Al-4V, with an estimated maximum uncertainty of ±6% in each value.Paper presented at the Second Workshop on Subsecond Thermophysics, September 20–21, 1990, Torino, Italy.     

TI-6Al-4V合金置氢-除氢组织与力学性能

为研究除氢处理对置氢钛合金组织与性能的影响,对Ti-6Al-4V合金在不同参数条件下进行了置氢与除氢处理,采用光学显微镜分析了置氢-除氢处理过程中Ti-6Al-4V合金微观组织的演化规律,通过室温拉伸试验研究了置氢-除氢处理后Ti-6Al-4V合金的力学性能,探讨了Ti-6Al-4V合金置氢-除氢组织与力学性能之间的相...     

A comparison of maximum likelihood models for fatigue strength characterization in materials exhibiting a fatigue limit

In this study, various probabilistic models were considered to support fatigue strength design guidance in the ultra high-cycle regime (beyond 10⁸ cycles), with particular application to Ti-6Al-4V, a titanium alloy common to aerospace applications. The random fatigue limit model of Pascual and Meeker and two proposed simplified models (bilinear and hyperbolic) used maximum likelihood estimation techniques to fit probabilistic stress-life curves to experimental data. The bilinear and hyperbolic models provided a good fit to large-sample experimental data for dual-phase Ti-6Al-4V and were then applied to a small-sample data set for a beta annealed variant of this alloy, providing an initial probabilistic estimate of beta annealed Ti-6Al-4V fatigue strength in the gigacycle regime. The bilinear and hyperbolic models are recommended for use in estimating probabilistic fatigue strength parameters in support of very high-cycle design criteria for metals with clearly defined fatigue limits and fairly constant scatter in fatigue strength.     

神经网络预测搅拌摩擦加工TC4超塑性行为

目的 研究搅拌摩擦加工工艺改性的Ti–6Al–4V双相钛合金的超塑性变形行为。方法 对360 r/min、30 mm/min工艺条件下搅拌摩擦加工处理的TC4钛合金在不同的变形条件下进行超塑性拉伸实验,在实验数据的基础上构建以变形温度、应变速率和晶粒尺寸为输入参数且以峰值应力为输出参数的3–16–1结构的BP人工神经网络模型。应用所构建的BP人工神经网络模型对不同变形条件的Ti–6Al–4V钛合金的超塑性行为进行预测。结果 BP人工神经网络预测的精准度较高,实验应力值与预测应力值吻合度较高,相关系数R=0.991 3,相对误差为1.91%~12.48%,平均相对误差为5.92%。结论 该模型预测的准确性较高,能够客观真实地描述Ti–6Al–4V合金的超塑性变形行为。     

Microstructure and tensile strength of grade 2 titanium processed by equal-channel angular pressing and by rolling

Commercially pure titanium strengthened by severe plastic deformation constitutes an alternative to the use of complex Ti alloys in many medical or industrial applications. In this research, rods of grade 2 Ti were processed by up to six passes using Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 573 K followed by cold rolling at room or subzero temperatures. After four passes of ECAP, the grain size was refined down to the submicrometer scale and subsequent rolling led to further refinement. The microstructure was characterized by taking Vickers microhardness measurements and tensile testing was performed both at room temperature and in the temperature range of 573–773 K. The results show that at all temperatures the tensile strength is significantly improved by means of these processing techniques. At room temperature, the ultimate tensile strength of pure Ti after ECAP plus subzero rolling is close to that of the traditional Ti-6Al-4V alloy while maintaining adequate levels of elongation to failure.     

Influences of processing parameters and heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical behavior of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated using selective laser melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) has provided an alternative to the conventional fabrication techniques for Ti-6Al-4V alloy parts because of its flexibility and ease in creating complex features. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the process parameters and heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated using SLM. The influences of various process parameters on the relative density, tensile properties, impact toughness, and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V alloy parts were studied. By employing parameter optimization, a high-density high-strength Ti-6Al-4V alloy was fabricated by SLM. A relative density of 99.45%, a tensile strength of 1 188 MPa, and an elongation to failure of 9.5% were achieved for the SLM-fabricated Ti-6Al-4V alloy with optimized parameters. The effects of annealing and solution aging heat treatment on the mechanical properties, phase composition, and microstructure of the SLM-fabricated Ti-6Al-4V alloy were also studied. The ductility of the heat-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy was improved. By applying a heat treatment at 850 ℃ for 2 h, followed by furnace cooling, the elongation to failure and impact toughness were found to be increased from 9.5% to 12.5%, and from 24.13 J/cm² to 47.51 J/cm², respectively.The full text can be downloaded at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40436-022-00389-y     

Mechanism of surface modification of a porous-coated Ti-6Al-4V implant fabricated by electrical resistance sintering

A porous-coated Ti-6Al-4V implant was fabricated by electrical resistance sintering, using 480 F capacitance and 1.5 kJ input energy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the surface characteristics of the implant material before and after sintering. There were substantial differences in the content of O and N between as-received atomized Ti-6Al-4V powders and the sintered prototype implant, which indicates that electrical resistance sintering alters the surface composition of Ti-6Al-4V. Whereas the surface of atomized Ti-6Al-4V powders was primarily TiO₂, the surface of the implant consisted of a complex of titanium oxides as well as small amounts of titanium carbide and nitride. It is proposed that the electrical resistance sintering process consists of five stages: stage I – electronic breakdown of oxide film and heat accumulation at the metal-oxide interface; stage II – physical breakdown of oxide film; stage III – neck formation and neck growth; stage IV – oxidation, nitriding, and carburizing; and stage V – heat dissipation. The fourth stage, during which the alloy repassivates, is responsible for the altered surface composition of the implant.     

Notch effects on high-cycle fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy at cryogenic temperatures

Notch effects on the high-cycle fatigue properties of the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy at cryogenic temperatures were investigated. Also, the high-cycle fatigue data were compared with the rolled Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI alloy. The one million cycles fatigue strength (FS) of the smooth specimen for the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy increased with a decrease of test temperature. However, the FS of each notched specimen at 4 K were lower than those at 77 K. On the other hand, the FS of the smooth and the notched specimens for the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy at 4 K were lower than those for the rolled Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI alloy. This is considered to be the early initiation of the fatigue crack in the forged Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy compares with the forged Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI.     

Adhesive B-doped DLC films on biomedical alloys used for bone fixation

The long-term failure of the total hip and knee prostheses is attributed to the production of wear particles at the articulating interface between the metals, ceramics and polymers used for surgical implants and bone-fixtures. Therefore, finding an adhesive and inert coating material that has low frictional coefficient should dramatically reduce the production of wear particles and hence, prolong the life time of the surgical implants. The novel properties of the non-toxic diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have proven to be excellent candidates for biomedical applications. However, they have poor adhesion strength to the alloys and biomaterials. The addition of a thin interfacial layer such as Si, Ti, TiN, Mo and Cu/Cr and/or adding additives such as Si, F, N, O, W, V, Co, Mo, Ti or their combinations to the DLC films has been found to increase the adhesion strength substantially. In our study, grade 316L stainless steel and grade 5 titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) were used as biomaterial substrates. They were coated with DLC films containing boron additives at various levels using various Si interfacial layer thicknesses. The best film adhesion was achieved at 8% and 20% on DLC coated Ti-6Al-4V and grade 316L substrates, respectively. It has been demonstrated that doping the DLC with boron increases their adhesion strength to both substrates even without silicon interfacial layer and increases it substantially with optimum silicon layer thickness. The adhesion strength is also correlated with the hydrogen contents in the B-DLC films. It is found to reach its maximum value of 700 kg/cm² and 390 kg/cm² at 2/7 and 3/6 for CH₄/Ar partial pressures (in mTorr ratio) for Ti-6Al-4V and 316L substrates, respectively.