Novel α + β Type Ti-Fe-Cu Alloys Containing Sn with Pertinent Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Rising demand for bone implants has led to the focus on future alternatives of alloys with better biocompatibility and mechanical strength. Thus, this research is dedicated to the synthesis and investigation of new compositions for low-alloyed Ti-based compounds, which conjoin relatively acceptable mechanical properties and low elastic moduli. In this regard, the structural and mechanical properties of α + β Ti-Fe-Cu-Sn alloys are described in the present paper. The alloys were fabricated by arc-melting and tilt-casting techniques which followed subsequent thermo-mechanical treatment aided by dual-axial forging and rolling procedures. The effect of the concentrations of the alloying elements, and other parameters, such as regimes of rolling and dual-axial forging operation, on the microstructure and mechanical properties were thoroughly investigated. The Ti94Fe1Cu1Sn4 alloy with the most promising mechanical properties was subjected to thermo-mechanical treatment. After a single rolling procedure at 750 °C, the alloy exhibited tensile strength and tensile plasticity of 1300 MPa and 6%, respectively, with an elastic modulus of 70 GPa. Such good tensile mechanical properties are explained by the optimal volume fraction balance between α and β phases and the texture alignment obtained, providing superior alternatives in comparison to pure α- titanium alloys.