Synthesis of β-type NbXTi (X= 50 at %) /carbon nanotubes by FCT-FAST-SPS: For metallic orthopedic components

Abstract

The synthesize of β-type phase NbxTi (x=50 at%)/SWCNTs intermetallic matrix nanocomposite by mechanical alloying to ensure the effective distribution of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) within the matrix. It has been stated by several researchers that during ball-milling of NbxTi (x=50 at%) powder mixtures, Nb-Ti intermetallic compound formation occurs either gradually along milling time, or suddenly through a mechanically self- propagating reaction (MSPR), which occurs after a ignition time of MA. For this purpose, 0.4 and 0.8 wt% of SWNTs were added to the powder mixture after the completion of reaction between Nb and Ti. The resultant powders Nb50Ti intermetallic compound and with addition of powder of SWCNTs and then also ball-milled.Bulk samples were compacted and then sintered by field actived sintering technic spark plasma sintering method (FAST- SPS) at lower temperature in the range (1273 to 1473 K) with short time that retained the integrity of SWNTs in the intermetallic matrix. Structural and characteristics evolutions of the nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffractometery (XRD). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs showed that the offered MA approach caused the SWNTs to uniformly embed in the in situ synthesized NbTi intermetallic matrix. Meanwhile better distribution of SWCNTs resulted in higher density of FAST-SPS-FCT bulk nanocomposite as well as higher hardness up to 2.75 GPa compared to2.4 of Nb50Ti intermetallic alloy obtained from the after MA time. The total porosity, compressive strength, and compressive elastic modulus of the FAST-SPS-FCT manufactured material were determined as 7%, 600 MPa, and 120 MPa, respectively. The alloy’s and its intermetallic nanocomposite have Young’s elastic modulus is comparable to that of healthy cancellous bone which makes it applicable in the biomedical field. The in vitro biocomptability will be performed in the near future. The comparable results for the FAST-SPS-FCT nanocomposites were 3%, 650 MPa, and 130 MPa. The alloy’s elastic modulus is comparable to that of healthy cancellous bone. This difference in mechanical properties results from different porosity and phase composition of the bot β-phase NbxTi (x=50 at%) and NbxTi (x=50 at%)/SWCNTs intermetallic matrix nanocomposite. More other nanotechnologies applications of the nanocomposite will be focused in the study of the superconducting type I for the ITER Poloidal Field Coils by measuring of Jc (T, B) characteristics.