Abstract
In this paper, the effects of Nb addition (5–20 wt %) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and cytotoxicity of Ti-Nb alloys were investigated with the aim of understanding the relationship between phase/microstructure and various properties of Ti-xNb alloys. Phase/microstructure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and TEM. The results indicated that the Ti-xNb alloys (x = 10, 15, and 20 wt %) were mainly composed of α + β phases with precipitation of the isothermal ω phase. The volume percentage of the ω phase increased with increasing Nb content. We also investigated the effects of the alloying element Nb on the mechanical properties (including Vickers hardness and elastic modulus), oxidation protection ability, and corrosion behavior of Ti-xNb binary alloys. The mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Ti-xNb alloys were found to be sensitive to Nb content. These experimental results indicated that the addition of Nb contributed to the hardening of cp-Ti and to the improvement of its oxidation resistance. Electrochemical experiments showed that the Ti-xNb alloys exhibited superior corrosion resistance to that of cp-Ti. The cytotoxicities of the Ti-xNb alloys were similar to that of pure titanium.
Highlights
Ti has received widespread attention due to its favorable mechanical properties, including high specific strength, good corrosion stability, and good biocompatibility after implantation [1]
Ti alloyed with Nb, microstructural observations were carried out using a high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM)
Experimental results indicated that both the microstructure and mechanical properties of the cast Ti-xNb alloys were sensitive to Nb content
Summary
Ti has received widespread attention due to its favorable mechanical properties, including high specific strength, good corrosion stability, and good biocompatibility after implantation [1]. Biofluid containing chloride ions or fluoride ions gradually destroy the passive oxide layer formed on Ti. In order to enhance the castability, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Ti, Ti-based alloys have been extensively developed [2]. Phase transformation in Ti-Nb alloys has been extensively reported in the literature [3,13,14]. Despite the fact that there exists extensive literature on the fundamental physical metallurgy aspects of Ti-Nb alloys, studies assessing the effect of Nb metal on the mechanical properties of titanium are still relatively rare, and further investigations are necessary to provide an in-depth understanding of these mechanical properties. The present investigation focused on the relationship between mechanical properties and phase/microstructure of a series of Ti-xNb alloys. In this work, “Ti-xNb” will stand for “Ti-x wt% Nb”
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