Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Nb Alloy at Different Composition of Nb Produced via Powder Metallurgy Route

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of phase formation to the mechanical strength of Ti-Nb alloy produced by powder metallurgy (PM) process. Niobium (Nb) powder was added to the elemental titanium (Ti) powder by wt%, cold-compacted and sintered at 1200°C. The samples were characterized in term of shape and sizes of the particle, phases present, microstructures and compressive strength. XRD pattern showed that increasing Nb content resulted in increased beta-phases which also evidenced by a greater fraction of light gray-scale image in back-scattered SEM analysis. The alpha phase region almost eliminated in the 35 wt% Nb. The lowest compressive strength was observed in 45 wt% Nb is due to partly crystallized region in the microstructure observed. The alloy containing 35 wt% Nb exhibited better beta-phase structures in the matrix. The Young’s modulus of 13.46±2.44 GPa were obtained from 45 wt% Nb addition in the Ti alloy. All sintered samples are potential candidates for implant applications.