Effects of Zr and Hf on superelasticity, shape memory effect and microstructure of β-type (Ti–Zr–Hf)–Nb–Sn multi-principal element alloys with low magnetic susceptibility

Abstract

(Ti–Zr–Hf)(97−x)–xNb–3Sn (Ti:(Zr + Hf) = 1:1) alloys were designed for biomedical superelastic alloys with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility. The effects of Zr and Hf on constituent phases, superelasticity, shape memory effect and magnetic susceptibility were clarified. The specific Nb content for superelasticity and shape memory effect was also explored. It was found that the (Ti–Zr)–6.5Nb–3Sn alloy exhibited a superelastic recovery strain of 5.2 % with lower magnetic susceptibility compared to conventional Ti–Ni and Ti–Nb alloys. The magnetic susceptibility decreased with increasing Hf content. The (Ti–Hf)–9Nb–3Sn alloy showed a superelastic recovery strain of 0.9 % and very low magnetic susceptibility less than half of that of the conventional alloys. Based on the lattice parameters of these alloys, it was found that these alloys exhibited larger transformation lattice strain between a β phase and an α” phase than those of the Ti–Nb alloys, suggesting high potential to exhibit a large superelastic recovery strain. According to orientation analyses of constituting grains, the larger superelastic recovery strain in the (Ti–Zr)–6.5Nb–3Sn alloy than that of the (Ti–Hf)–9Nb–3Sn alloy is considered to be caused by a strong recrystallization texture of {001}β <110>β. By optimization of heat-treatment temperature, superelastic recovery strain of 3.6 % was achieved in the (Ti–0.5Zr–0.5Hf)–7.5Nb–3Sn alloy.