Development of Ti–Zr alloys by powder metallurgy for biomedical applications

ABSTRACT

Commercial pure titanium offers excellent biocompatibility, but its properties are poor for some biomedical applications where both mechanical properties and biocompatibility are required. The study attempts to evaluate the developement ofTi–Zr alloys using conventional powder metallurgical techniques by mixing elemental powder (BE) or mechanical mixing (MA) as a function of the zirconium content (6, 15 and 20 wt-%). Sintering was performed at 1523 K after compaction at 700 MPa for BE powders and 900 MPa for MA powders. Sintered parts were tested to obtain maximum flexural strength. Samples were characterised microstructurally by X-ray diffraction to study the phases. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to study the phases, porosity, grain size. Flexural strength to Ti CP was greater, but slightly diminished with increasing Zr content. However, the elastic modulus increased slightly compared to Ti. The results obtained show that it is possible to make these alloys by powder metallurgy.

KEYWORDS:

• Ti–Zr
• microstructure
• mechanical mixing
• bending strength

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministerio Español de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades with grant RTI2018-097810-B-I00; the Generalitat Valenciana with grant PROMETEO2016/040; the EU for the funding received through FEDER.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministerio Español de Ciencia e Innovación with grant [RTI2018-097810-B-I00]; the Generalitat Valenciana with grant [PROMETEO2016/040]; the EU for the funding received through FEDER.

Notes on contributors

Angèlica Amigó-Mata

Angélica Amigó is an engineer with 5 years' experience in medical devices companies. She has developed projects from machining, processed or conditioning surgical, regenerative or restorative product. She also has experience as Superior investigation technician in the Institute of Materials technology. She has a PhD in Engineering and Industrial Production from Universitat Politècnica de València, a Master of Mechanical and Materials science from the same university and an Aeronautical degree from the polytechnic university of Madrid.

Montserrat Haro-Rodriguez

Angel Vicente is a Lecturer in Materials Science and currently is PhD student in Materials Science that is working in the development Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta alloys by powder metallurgy. He has more than 30 years' teaching experience in Materials Science and metallurgical Engineering, he is a specialist on design materials and materials for biomedical engineering. He is coauthor on more than 30 papers and work in three active investigation projects, one of them from the European community. He is a specialist in mechanical characterization of materials in the Institute of Materials technology.

Ángel Vicente-Escuder

Montserrat Haro is a materials engineer and currently a research assistant in the Institute of Materials technology with more than 10 years' of experience in the development and characterization of powder metallurgical samples. Most recently, she actively participates in the diffusion of the research results of the Institute of Materials technology.

Vicente Amigó-Borrás

Vicente Amigó Borrás is a senior research with 40 years' experience in Metallurgy Engineering and Materials Science. He works, firstly in aluminium and titanium alloys, especially for biomedical applications. He are publish more than 150 SCI papers and more than 300 communications to National and international Congress. He is a fellowship of EPMA, ASM International, ACERs, ASTM and APMI. He has belonged to the Institute of Materials technology since its foundation in 2005 and he is responsible for the Research Group on Powder Metallurgical Materials.