Achieving high strength and low Young’s modulus by controlling the beta stabilizers content in Ti-Nb-Ta-Zr-O alloys

Abstract

High strength and low Young’s modulus is the desired combination of mechanical properties for the endoprostheses material. Metastable beta titanium alloys are promising materials for this application. In this study, four Ti-xNb-6Ta-7Zr-0.7O (wt.%) alloys were prepared where Nb content ranged from 26 to 35 wt. %. All alloys contained pure beta phase. The high oxygen content causes high microhardness (330 HV), hence also the strength, while decreasing content of Nb leads to lower electrons per atom (e/a) ratio. The e/a ratio affects the Young’s modulus which is highest (76 GPa) in Ti-35Nb-6Ta-7Zr-0.7O alloy with e/a=4.31 and the lowest (64 GPa) in Ti-26Nb-6Ta-7Zr-0.7O with e/a=4.24. Such evolution of Young’s modulus is in accordance with existing literature data, however, in comparison with other works, the Ti-26Nb-6Ta-7Zr-0.7O alloy shows double microhardness when compared to alloys with similar Young’s modulus. Therefore, the approach of using controlled oxygen content for alloy design is very promising for development of biocompatible metastable beta Ti alloy for endoprostheses production.