Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Titanium–Equine Bone Biocomposites

Abstract

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V/equine bone (EB) composites fabricated by ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) have been investigated. Ti-6Al-4V/EB composites were successfully fabricated by a planetary ball-milling of spherical Ti6Al4V powder and natural EB powder and SPS at 1000 °C within 15 min under 50 MPa. EB was uniformly dispersed in the Ti6Al4V matrix owing to ball-milling, and beta phase transformation temperature of 1000 °C provided phase stability. The composites containing 0.5 wt.% EB exhibit Vickers hardness and elastic modulus of 540.6 HV and 130.5 GPa, respectively. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were observed using scanning electron micrograph and nanoindentation.