The microstructure and properties of Ti-Mo-Nb alloys for biomedical application

A group of Ti-10Mo-nNb alloys (n = 3, 7, 10) were prepared using arc melting and graphite mould casting. When n = 3, the as-prepared alloy had a composite microstructure containing an equiaxed beta-Ti phase dispersed in a alpha-Ti matrix. When n = 7 and 10, the as-prepared alloys had microstructure only containing equiaxed beta-Ti phase. The equiaxed crystal grain of Ti-10Mo-10Nb alloy was obviously finer. These new alloys exhibited high Vickers hardness values of 394-441 HV, high compression strength of 1717-1918 MPa, high yield strength of 1404-1854 Wa, and low Young's modulus in the range of 24.7-28.4 GPa, together with large plastic strains. The bending strength of Ti-Mo-Nb alloys was in the range of 701-1489 Wa. The combination of high strength and low elastic modulus of Ti-Mo-Nb alloys offer potential advantages in biomedical applications. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.