Design and Characterization of New Ti-Nb-Hf Alloys

Three new Ni-free Ti alloys Ti-16.2Hf-24.8Nb-1Zr, Ti-5.2Hf-31.2Nb-0.4Zr, and Ti-16Hf-36.2Nb-1Zr (wt.%), were designed and produced in order to obtain shape memory and/or low elastic modulus materials for the use in the load transfer implant field. For that, a method based on the molecular orbital theory was implemented to design the three new Ti-Nb-Hf system alloys. A vacuum arc-melted button of each alloy was treated at 1100 °C for 1.5 h and quenched in a mixture of ethanol/water at 0 °C. Finally, the alloys were microstructurally and mechanically characterized. Special attention on studying the elastic modulus and the thermoelastic martensitic transformation was given by means of nanoindentation tests using a Berkovich and a spherical tip, respectively. X-ray diffraction results showed the presence of β-phase in the three studied alloys. Moreover, one of the alloys exhibited reversible phase transformation due to the presence of thermoelastic martensitic α′′-plates inside the β-grains observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a low elastic modulus in all the studied alloys with values between 70 and 90 GPa, which are lower than those of the commercial alloys used in load transfer bone implants.     

Trace Carbon Addition to Refine Microstructure and Enhance Properties of Additive-Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V

Carbon is a powerful alloying element for titanium alloys. In this work, trace carbon is alloyed with Ti-6Al-4V during wire?+?arc additive manufacturing, and the effects on the solidification process, microstructure and mechanical properties are explored. With between 0.03 wt.% and 0.41 wt.% carbon, the prior-β grain size and α-lath length reduce by factors of 5–6 which is attributed to separate grain refining mechanisms. Alloying Ti-6Al-4V with up to 0.1 wt.% carbon improved both the tensile strength and ductility, but higher carbon additions were associated with excessive carbide formation and severe embrittlement.     

Effect of Hypoeutectic Boron Additions on the Grain Size and Mechanical Properties of Ti-6Al-4V Manufactured with Powder Bed Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing

In additive manufacturing, microstructural control is feasible via processing parameter alteration. However, the window for parameter variation for certain materials, such as Ti-6Al-4V, is limited, and alternative methods must be employed to customize microstructures. Grain refinement and homogenization in cast titanium alloys has been demonstrated through the addition of hypoeutectic concentrations of boron. This work explores the influence of 0.00 wt.%, 0.25 wt.%, 0.50 wt.%, and 1.0 wt.% boron additions on the microstructure and bulk mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V samples fabricated in an Arcam A2 electron beam melting (EBM) system with commercial processing parameters for Ti-6Al-4V. Analyses of EBM fabricated Ti-6Al-4V + B indicate that the addition of 0.25–1.0 wt.% boron progressively refines the grain structure, and it improves hardness and elastic modulus. Despite a reduction in size, the β grain structure remained columnar as a result of directional heat transfer during EBM fabrication.     

Microstructure and Room-Temperature Mechanical Properties of FeCrMoVTi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> High-Entropy Alloys

FeCrMoVTi _x (x values represent the molar ratio, where x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) high-entropy alloys were prepared by a vacuum arc melting method. The effects of Ti element on the microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the as-cast FeCrMoVTi _x alloys were investigated. The results show that the prepared alloys exhibited typical dendritic microstructure and the size of the microstructure became fine with increasing Ti content. The FeCrMoV alloy exhibited a single body-centered cubic structure (BCC1) and the alloys prepared with Ti element exhibited BCC1 + BCC2 mixed structure. The new BCC2 phase is considered as (Fe, Ti)-rich phase and was distributed in the dendrite region. With the increase of Ti content, the volume fraction of the BCC2 phase increased and its shape changed from a long strip to a network. For the FeCrMoV alloy, the fracture strength, plastic strain, and hardness reached as high as 2231 MPa, 28.2%, and 720 HV, respectively. The maximum hardness of 887 HV was obtained in the FeCrMoVTi alloy. However, the fracture strength, yield stress, and plastic strain of the alloys decreased continuously as Ti content increased. In the room-temperature compressive test, the alloys showed typical brittle fracture characteristics.     

Synthesis of As-Cast Ti-Al-V Alloy from Titanium-Rich Material by Thermite Reduction

We present a novel methodology for preparing as-cast Ti-Al-V alloy directly from titanium-rich material through a thermite reduction. The new method is shown to be feasible through a thermodynamics and dynamics analysis. The as-cast Ti-Al-V alloys synthesized from titanium dioxide, rutile, and high-titanium slag were analyzed by an x-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope, an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer, and an oxygen/nitrogen/hydrogen analyzer. The results indicate that the alloy is composed of a Ti-Al-V matrix and Al₂O₃ inclusions. The Al and V contents in the matrix are close to the mass ratio of Ti-6Al-4V (Al: 5.5–6.8 wt.%, V: 3.5–4.5 wt.%). The Si and Fe in the alloys synthesized from rutile and high-titanium slag can be used as alloying elements in low-cost titanium alloys. The present method is expected to be useful for preparing Ti-Al-V alloys at a low production cost.     

Metal Injection Molding of Thin-Walled Titanium Glasses Arms: A Case Study

Commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V arms for a new brand of augmented reality smart glasses, which are over 170 mm in length, with thin wall structures and extremely complex surfaces, have been successfully fabricated via metal injection molding. After sintering, both the metal injection-molded (MIMed) CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V can reach relative densities of over 95% with an oxygen content ~ 2200 ppm, thus imparting mechanical properties comparable to cast alloys. The ductility of the MIMed CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V are about 15% and 8%, respectively. This is a good example of applying metal injection molding to mass production of precise Ti alloy parts with complicated shapes.     

Microstructures and Properties of W-Ti Alloys Prepared Under Different Cooling Conditions

W-(10 to 15) wt.% Ti alloys were sintered at 1400 or 1500 °C and cooled under different cooling conditions. The microstructures and properties of W-Ti alloys were affected by the cooling conditions. XRD, SEM, EBSD, and TEM were carried out to investigate the effects of cooling conditions and sintering temperature on the microstructures of W-Ti alloys. The nanohardness and elastic modulus of the alloys were also investigated. The results showed that when the temperature was 1500 °C, the content of Ti-rich phase in W-(10 to 15) wt.% Ti alloys decreased obviously with the increase of cooling rate (the average cooling rate of furnace cooling, air cooling and water cooling was 0.2, 10, and 280 °C/s, respectively). For the W-10 wt.% Ti alloy, the content decreased from 20.5 to 9.7%, and the grain size decreased from 2.33 to 0.67 μm. When the temperature decreased to 1400 °C, the grain size was also decreased sharply with the increase of cooling rate, but there was a little change in the microstructure. Meanwhile, the grain sizes were smaller than those of the alloys sintered at 1500 °C. The nanohardness and elastic modulus increased with the increase of cooling rate, and the alloys sintered at different temperatures had different nanohardness and elastic modulus which depended on the cooling conditions. Sintering at a proper temperature and then cooling at a certain cooling condition was a useful method to fabricate alloy with less Ti-rich phase and high properties.     

聚碳硅烷原位自生增强钛基复合材料的组织及性能研究

以低氧氢化脱氢钛粉和陶瓷先驱体聚合物聚碳硅烷(PCS)为原料,通过粉末冶金工艺原位自生制备高强高塑钛基复合材料,探究了PCS的引入对钛基复合材料的控氧效果、烧结致密化过程、基体显微组织和力学性能的影响规律。研究表明：采用湿混包覆工艺可以将PCS包覆于Ti粉表面,有效控制材料制备过程中的氧增,其中制备的Ti-1.0 wt.% PCS复合材料的氧含量为0.21~0.24 wt.%,显著低于未经处理的CP-Ti样品(0.36~0.41 wt.%)。在烧结过程中,PCS受热分解并与Ti基体原位反应生成TiC颗粒,弥散分布在基体中,而Si元素则固溶于Ti基体。PCS的引入对Ti基体的性能具有明显的改善作用,经1200 °C/2 h烧结制备的Ti-1.0 wt.% PCS复合材料致密度达到98.4%,洛氏硬度为47.3 HRC,屈服强度为544 MPa,抗拉强度为650 MPa,延伸率为14.5%,其综合性能指标显著优于CP-Ti样品。     

Theoretical Assessment on the Phase Transformation Kinetic Pathways of Multi-component Ti Alloys: Application to Ti-6Al-4V

We present our theoretical assessment of the kinetic pathways during phase transformations of multi-component Ti alloys. Employing the graphical thermodynamic approach and an integrated free energy function based on the realistic thermodynamic database and assuming that a displacive structural transformation occurs much faster than long-range diffusional processes, we analyze the phase stabilities of Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-6wt.%Al-4wt.%V). Our systematic analyses predict a variety of possible kinetic pathways for β to (α + β) transformations leading to different types of microstructures under various heat treatment conditions. In addition, the possibility of unconventional kinetic pathways is discussed. We also briefly discuss the application of our approach to general multicomponent/multiphase alloy systems.     

Casting of Iron Aluminides

Iron aluminides form an interesting class of materials which combine excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance with good mechanical properties at moderate to high temperature (up to 500 °C). These materials, however, suffer from low room-temperature ductility (under 5% elongation in tension), which is mostly due to environmental effects. Casting is a processing route traditionally applied to brittle alloys (e.g., gray cast irons), but to cast a part without defects, several thermochemical properties are needed, as well as information on the tendency of the alloy to form foundry defects (e.g., shrinkage voids, pores). The present work aims to provide this information using parts produced on laboratory scale. In particular, the solidification contraction and the efficiency of TiB₂ as inoculant are investigated. Three alloys with nominal composition (in at.%) Fe28Al, Fe28Al6Cr, and Fe28Al6Cr1Ti (about 1.5 kg for each melt) were melted in an induction furnace under argon flux protection using conventional raw materials (carbon steel, commercial aluminum, metallic chromium, and commercial ferrotitanium). The resulting melts were treated by adding Al-TiB₂ master alloy used in the aluminum industry and poured into “staircase” molds, designed to investigate feeding distance effects in complex parts. Characterization of the microstructure of the alloys revealed that alloys Fe28Al and Fe28Al6Cr showed κ-carbide precipitation, while alloy Fe28Al6Cr additionally showed chromium carbides at dendritic boundaries. Addition of 1 wt.% Ti in alloy Fe28Al6Cr1Ti changed the solidification microstructure, refining the dendrite morphology and forming TiC-containing eutectic in interdendritic spaces.     

Effects of Si on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of High-Chromium Cast Iron

Effect of Si on the microstructures and mechanical properties of high-chromium cast iron was investigated. The eutectic carbides are refined greatly and a transformation of matrix from austenitic matrix to pearlite is observed with increase in Si content from 0.5 to 1.5 wt.%. The refinement of eutectic microstructure is attributed to the decrease in the eutectic temperature, while the transformation from austenite matrix to pearlite is associated with the increase in solubility of carbon in the matrix. In the pearlite matrix, two types of pearlite are observed: one with lamellar pearlite, distributing at the periphery, and the second one with granular pearlite at the center. The density of secondary carbides precipitated from the matrix increases greatly with addition of Si from 0.5 to 1.5 wt.%, which is associated with more carbon and chromium elements confined in the matrix in the alloy containing 1.5 wt.%. More rod-like particles are observed in the alloy containing 0.5 wt.% Si, while the morphology of secondary carbides of alloy containing 1.5 wt.% is granular. The mechanical properties are improved with a 7% increase in tensile strength from 586 to 626 MPa and impact toughness from 5.8 to 7.3 J cm^?2.     

Oxygen effects on the mechanical properties and lattice strain of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V

The effects of oxygen on the mechanical properties and the lattice strain of commercial pure CP) Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloys are discussed here in terms of the Vickers hardness, tensile strength and elongation. The Vickers hardness and tensile strength of the CP Ti and the Ti-6Al-4V alloys increased with an increase in the oxygen concentration. On the other hand, the elongation of the CP Ti decreased considerably as the oxygen concentration increased, while that of the Ti-6Al-4V alloys gradually decreased as the oxygen concentration increased. Thus, the oxygen concentration has a greater effect on the mechanical properties of CP Ti compared to its effects on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. This can be explained in terms of the difference in the solid solution effect of oxygen between the CP Ti and the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Where, the mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy were previously affected by an earlier lattice expansion caused by an increment in the c/a ratio of the Ti-6Al-4V during the Al and V alloying process.     

Design for Ti-Al-V-Mo-Nb alloys for laser additive manufacturing based on a cluster model and on their microstructure and properties

In this study, α+β Ti-Al-V-Mo-Nb alloys with the addition of multiple elements that are suitable for laser additive manufacturing (LAM) were designed according to a Ti-6Al-4V cluster formula. This formula can be expressed as 12[Al-Ti₁₂](AlTi₂)+5[Al-Ti₁₄]((Mo, V, Nb)₂Ti), in which Mo and Nb were added into the alloys partially instead of V to give alloys with nominal compositions of Ti-6.01Al-3.13V-1.43Nb, Ti-5.97Al-2.33V-2.93Mo, and Ti-5.97Al-2.33V-2.20Mo-0.71Nb (wt.%). The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-deposited and heat-treated samples prepared via LAM were examined. The sizes of the β columnar grains and α laths in the Nb-containing samples are found to be larger than those of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, whereas Mo- or Mo/Nb-added alloys contain finer grains. It indicates that Nb gives rise to coarsened β columnar grains and α laths, while Mo significantly refines them. Furthermore, the single addition of Nb improves the elongation, whereas the single addition of Mo enhances the strength of the alloys. The simultaneous addition of Mo/Nb significantly improves the comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloys, leading to the best properties with an ultimate tensile strength of 1,070 MPa, a yield strength of 1,004 MPa, an elongation of 9%, and micro-hardness of 355 HV. The fracture modes of all the alloys are ductile-brittle mixed fracture.     

Microstructure, mechanical, and anticorrosive properties of a new Ti-20Nb-10Zr-5Ta alloy based on nontoxic and nonallergenic elements

For an alloy to be suitable for use as an implant material, it must have a low specific weight and Young??s modulus, good mechanical properties that are similar to those of bone, and very good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. In this study, we have developed a novel Ti-20Nb-10Zr-5Ta alloy that is composed of nontoxic, nonallergenic, corrosion-resistant elements. This alloy has low specific weight and Young??s modulus and good mechanical properties. It has a fine microstructure with a matrix that is mainly composed of the ?? phase and some ?? phase due to recrystallization during cooling. It shows elastoplastic behavior with a fairly linear elastic behavior and low Young??s modulus (59 GPa). In addition, its ultimate tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength, and hardness are higher than those of CP Ti, commercial Ti-6Al-4V, and similar ??-type alloys. It exhibited a very stable passive state and its electrochemical parameters and corrosion and ion release rates were better than those of CP Ti in Ringer??s solutions of different pH values that simulate the severe functional conditions of an implant; this is attributable to the beneficial influence of the alloying elements and to the better protective properties of the coated passive film.     

Dynamic stress–strain properties of Ti–Al–V titanium alloys with various element contents

A series of Ti–Al–V titanium alloy bars with nominal composition Ti–7Al–5V ELI,Ti–5Al–3V ELI,commercial Ti–6Al–4V ELI and commercial Ti–6Al–4V were prepared.These alloys were then heat treated to obtain bimodal or equiaxed microstructures with various contents of primary a phase.Dynamic compression properties of the alloys above were studied by split Hopkinson pressure bar system at strain rates from 2,000 to 4,000 s-1.The results show that Ti–6Al–4V alloy with equiaxed primary a(ap)volume fraction of 45 vol%or 67 vol%exhibits good dynamic properties with high dynamic strength and absorbed energy,as well as an acceptable dynamic plasticity.However,all the Ti53ELI specimens and Ti64ELI specimens with ap of 65 vol%were not fractured at a strain rate of4,000 s-1.It appears that the undamaged specimens still have load-bearing capability.Dynamic strength of Ti–Al–V alloy can be improved as the contents of elements Al,V,Fe,and O increase,while dynamic strain is not sensitive to the composition in the appropriate range.The effects of primary alpha volume fraction on the dynamic properties are dependent on the compositions of Ti–Al–V alloys.     

Microstructure and properties of Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5Ti x and Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5Si x high-entropy alloys

In this article, the microstructure, hardness, and corrosion resistance of the Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5Tixand Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5Six(x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0) high-entropy alloys were investigated via X-ray diffraction(XRD)scanning electron microscopy(SEM), digital display Vickers hardness tester, and electrochemical technique These alloys are mainly composed of BCC solid-solution structure. When adding high content of Ti or Si elemen(x C 0.5), some intermetallic compounds are found in the microstructure, which makes the alloys have a high hardness, high brittleness, and easy cracking. While the alloys with low content of Ti or Si(x = 0.2) have a hardness of HV 420–HV 430, and its hardness increases about 14 %compared with that of Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5. Electrochemical results in 3.5 % NaCl solution show that the alloying elements Ti and Si have a negative influence on the corrosion resistance of the Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5alloys.     

Al-Ti、Al-Ti-C中间合金对AZ91D镁合金组织和性能的影响

研究了Al-5Ti、Al-5Ti-0．25C和Al-8Ti-2C中间合金对AZ91D镁合金的组织、力学性能和耐腐蚀性能的影响。结果表明,添加Al-5Ti中间合金使晶粒粗化,而添加Al-5Ti-0．25C和Al-8Ti-2C中间合金使晶粒细化,Al-8Ti-2C中间舍金的细化效果明显且细化后组织细小均匀;添加Al-5Ti中间合金使合金的力学性能降低,而添加Al-5Ti-0．25C和Al-8Ti-2C中间合金均使合金的拉伸强度和伸长率得到了提高;添加Al-5Ti、Al-5Ti-0．25C和Al-8Ti-2C中间合金均使合金的耐腐蚀性能得到了改善。对于AZ91D合金而言,Al-8Ti-2C中间合金是一种良好的晶粒细化剂。     

Role of chromium on mechanical properties of Fe-Mn-Ni-Mo-Ti maraging steels

This experiment investigated the role of chromium in the mechanical properties of Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-1.5Ti maraging steels containing up to 3% chromium. Remarkable age-hardening responses were observed in the Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-1.5Ti and Cr-bcaring alloys. A ductile-brittle-ductile transition occurred in the Cr-bearing alloys during isothermal aging below 510°C. This was due to the segregation of titanium and manganese to prior austenite grain boundaries and their subsequent desegregation into the matrix. The addition of chromium to the base alloy considerably improved its ductility after aging at 520°C. From microstructure and AES analyses, it is suggested that chromium addition augments the volume fractions of (Fe,Mn)₂Mo and η-Ni₃Ti precipitates in the Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-Cr alloys, which act as sinks of manganese and titanium in the matrices. This resulted in the reduction of the alloying elements concentration in the matrix, which is followed by the reduction in the segregation level of the elements at prior austenite grain boundaries, and consequently enhanced intergranular fracture strength. The optimum combination of strength and ductility was obtained in the Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-3Cr-l.5Ti alloy aged at 520°C for 2 hr. and was σ_{0 2}=1721 MPa, σ_LS=1756 MPa. and ε,= 10.2%.     

Continuous and Discontinuous αTi Layers Between Grains of β(Ti,Co) Phase

The microstructure of Ti-Co polycrystals with 1.6 and 3.2 at.% Co has been studied between 690 and 810 °C after long anneals (720-860 h) in the αTi+β(Ti,Co) two-phase area of the Ti-Co phase diagram. It has been observed that depending on the annealing temperature and GB energy, the αTi phase forms either chains of separated lens-like precipitates or continuous uniform layers along β(Ti,Co)/β(Ti,Co) GBs. In other words, β(Ti,Co)/β(Ti,Co)GBs completely or partially wetted by the αTi phase were observed. At 690 °C, slightly above eutectoid temperature T _et = 685 °C, the portion of the completely wetted β(Ti,Co)/β(Ti,Co) GBs is 25% for the Ti-1.6 at.% Co alloy and 60% for the Ti-3.2 at.% Co alloy. It increases with increasing temperature and reaches the maximum of 80% for the Ti-1.6 at.% Co alloy at 780 °C and of 75% for the Ti-3.2 at.% Co alloy at 750 °C. At 810 °C, i.e., close to the upper border of the αTi + β(Ti,Co) two-phase area of the Ti-Co phase diagram, the portion of the completely wetted β(Ti,Co)/β(Ti,Co) GBs drops down to 40% for the Ti-1.6 at.% Co alloy and 20% for the Ti-3.2 at.% Co alloy. Thus, it has been observed for the first time, that the portion of grain boundaries completely wetted by the layers of a second solid phase can non-monotonously depend on the temperature.     

Parametric Characterization of Porous 3D Bioscaffolds Fabricated by an Adaptive Foam Reticulation Technique

Commercially pure titanium (Ti) and its alloys, in particular, titanium-vanadium-aluminium (Ti-6Al-4V), have been used as biomaterials due to their mechanical similarities to bone, good biocompatibility, and inertness in vivo. The introduction of porosity to the scaffolds leads to optimized mechanical properties and enhanced biological activity. The adaptive foam reticulation (AFR) technique has been previously used to generate hydroxyapatite bioscaffolds with enhanced cell behavior due to the generation of macroporous structures with microporous struts that provided routes for cell infiltration as well as attachment sites. Sacrificial polyurethane templates of 45 ppi and 90 ppi were coated in biomaterial-based slurries containing either Ti or Ti-6Al-4V as the biomaterial and camphene as the porogen. The resultant macropore sizes of 100–550 μm corresponded well with the initial template pore sizes while camphene produced micropores of 1–10 μm, with the level of microporosity related to the amount of porogen inclusion.