Variation in Mechanical Properties of Ti-13Nb-13Zr Depending on Annealing Temperature

Abstract

Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy is an orthopedic implant material possessing good mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. An international standard suggests a heat treatment known as “capability aging” for this alloy. This study provides extensive data of mechanical properties under a wide temperature condition built around the capability-aging process. Specifically, it investigates the effect of annealing temperature (573–973 K) on mechanical properties (i.e., yield strength, tensile strength, hardness, Young’s modulus, and mechanical compatibility) of Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloys. Although these mechanical properties showed similar trends with respect to the annealing temperature, Young’s modulus exhibited the highest value at 873 K in contrast to those of the other properties shown at 773 K. Such a disparity was discussed in light of static spheroidization and phase decomposition based on microstructural characteristics of the annealed Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloys.