Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-Zr alloys fabricated by two-step spark plasma sintering from TiH₂ and ZrH₂ powders

ABSTRACT

Ti is well-known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility. It can be alloyed with Zr to improve mechanical properties. Currently, Ti-Zr alloys can be fabricated by powder metallurgy using Ti and Zr powders, although high oxidation reactivity and cost could still be an issue. In this study, premixed TiH₂ and ZrH₂ powders were used to prepare Ti-Zr binary alloys with different Zr contents of 0–30 mass% ZrH₂ via dehydrogenation and sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. α-Ti and δ-TiH₂ phases coexisted in the sintered Ti-Zr alloys, and a characteristic lamellar microstructure was formed. The tensile strength of the Ti-Zr alloys increased with increasing Zr content due to the solid solution effect, grain refinement and the appearance of δ-TiH₂ phases, although the elongation was reduced. This study shows that the fabricated Ti-Zr alloys possess controllable mechanical properties, which can be beneficial for biomedical and other engineering applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Ti-Zr alloys
• mechanical properties
• spark plasma sintering
• dehydrogenation

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Petch Pra Jom Klao Master’s Degree Research Scholarship from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) [grant numbers MD/0002/2563], and funding support from the NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation [grant number B05F640134], and National Research Council Thailand (NRCT).

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability

The datasets generated during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Petch Pra Jom Klao Master's Degree Research Scholarship from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) [grant numbers MD/0002/2563], and funding support from the NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation [grant number B05F640134]), and National Research Council Thailand (NRCT).