Ti Sn Alloys Research Articles

Crystallographic ordering of Al and Sn in α-Ti

Increasing attention is being paid to α2 Ti3(Al,Sn) precipitation from the α phase of titanium alloys owing to its effect on slip band formation, localisation and the implications for fatigue performance in jet engine titanium. However, the early stages of α2 precipitation have historically been difficult to observe by electron microscopy, neutron diffraction or atom probe analysis. Here, small angle X-ray scattering is used to reexamine the phase boundary in binary Ti-Al and Ti-Sn alloys with around 500 ppmw O. It is found that the phase boundaries in the literature are approximately correct, at 6.2 wt.% Al and 16.9 wt.% Sn, and that this favours the use of Al as a solid solution strengthener over Sn for ambient temperature applications. However, once O content and phase partitioning in α+β alloys are taken into account, this implies that Aleq limits for future alloy design of critical rotating parts should be lowered substantially.

Microstructure and Electrochemical Characterization of Ti-Sn Binary Alloys for Dental Applications.

This work investigated the microstructure and corrosion behaviors of Ti-Sn alloys with x wt% Sn (x = 5, 10, 15, and 20) for dental applications. The microstructures of commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) and Ti-Sn alloys were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The Vickers hardness of the Ti-Sn alloys was compared to that of cp-Ti. The corrosion behaviors of Ti-Sn alloys were tested in 0.9% NaCl solution at 37 °C using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, AC impedance, and galvanic corrosion tests. Ti-Sn alloys had a hexagonal close-packed structure and their microstructures were transformed from the equiaxed structure with irregular grain boundaries to the martensitic structure as the content of Sn in Ti-Sn alloys increased by over 15 wt%. Among the sample groups, Ti-15Sn and Ti-20Sn alloys exhibited better Vickers hardness values. Ti-Sn alloys had better corrosion resistance than cp-Ti. Ti-15Sn, which showed narrow martensitic bands, exhibited the highest corrosion resistance properties in AC impedance measurements due to its higher resistance and better capacitive parameters. Among the tested groups, the galvanic coupling of Ti-15Sn with cp-Ti showed higher corrosion potentials and lower current densities, which indicates that there was higher corrosion resistance.

Influence of Vacancy on Structural Stability, Mechanical Properties and Electronic Structures of a Ti5Sn3 Compound from First-Principles Calculations

Titanium alloy is widely used in biomedical materials. Ti-Sn alloy is a new type β titanium alloy with no toxicity. In this paper, the mechanical and electronic properties of Ti5Sn3 with vacancy defects have been studied by using first-principles method. The vacancy formation energy, vacancy formation enthalpy, elastic constant, elastic modulus, hardness and electronic structure of perfect Ti5Sn3 and Ti5Sn3 with different vacancies were also calculated and discussed. The results show that Ti5Sn3 is more likely to form vacancies at VTi2. In addition, the bulk deformation resistance of Ti5Sn3 is weakened by the vacancy, and the shear resistance, stiffness and hardness of Ti5Sn3 are increased by the Ti vacancy, but the brittleness of Ti5Sn3 is increased. On the contrary, the presence of Sn vacancy decreases the shear resistance, stiffness and hardness of Ti5Sn3, and increases the toughness of Ti5Sn3. By analyzing the change of electronic structure, it is found that removing the Ti atom at the VTi2 position can improve the interaction between atoms, while Sn vacancy can weaken the interaction.

Synthesis and Characterization of Ti-Sn Alloy for Orthopedic Application.

Titanium (Ti)-based alloys (e.g., Ti6Al4V) are widely used in orthopedic implant applications owing to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, their corrosion resistance needs to be optimized. In addition, the presence of aluminum and vanadium cause alzheimer and cancer, respectively. Therefore, in this study, titanium-based alloys were developed via powder metallurgy route. In these alloys, the Al and V were replaced with tin (Sn) which was the main aim of this study. Four sets of samples were prepared by varying Sn contents, i.e., 5 to 20 wt. %. This was followed by characterization techniques including laser particle analyzer (LPA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), computerized potentiostate, vicker hardness tester, and nanoindenter. Results demonstrate the powder sizes between 50 and 55 µm exhibiting very good densification after sintering. The alloy contained alpha at all concentrations of Sn. However, as Sn content in the alloy exceeded from 10 wt. %, the formation of intermetallic compounds was significant. Thus, the presence of such intermetallic phases are attributed to enhanced elastic modulus. In particular, when Sn content was between 15 and 20 wt. % a drastic increase in elastic modulus was observed thereby surpassing the standard/reference alloy (Ti6Al4V). However, at 10 wt. % of Sn, the elastic modulus is more or less comparable to reference counterpart. Similarly, hardness was also increased in an ascending order upon Sn addition, i.e., 250 to 310 HV. Specifically, at 10 wt. % Sn, the hardness was observed to be 250 HV which is quite near to reference alloy, i.e., 210 HV. Moreover, tensile strength (TS) of the alloys were calculated using hardness values since it was very difficult to prepare the test coupons using powders. The TS values were in the range of 975 to 1524 MPa at all concentrations of Sn. In particular, the TS at 10 wt. % Sn is 1149 MPa which is comparable to reference counterpart (1168 MPa). The corrosion rate of Titanium-Sn alloys (as of this study) and reference alloy, i.e., Ti6Al4V were also compared. Incorporation of Sn reduced the corrosion rate at large than that of reference counterpart. In particular, the trend was in decreasing order as Sn content increased from 5 to 20 wt. %. The minimum corrosion rate of 3.65 × 10−9 mm/year was noticed at 20 wt. % than that of 0.03 mm/year of reference alloy. This shows the excellent corrosion resistance upon addition of Sn at all concentrations.

Effect of Niobium on Ti–Sn Alloy for Implant Applications

Titanium (Ti) based alloys (e.g., Ti6Al4V) are extensively utilized in the field orthopedic and dental implant applications due to their enhanced bio-mechanical properties. Nevertheless, their resistance to corrosion requirements needs to be enhanced. Furthermore, existence of vanadium (V) and almunium (Al) elements causes cancer and alzymer respectively. Therefore, in this research Ti-Sn-Nb alloy was produced through the powder metallurgy (PM) route. Tin (Sn) and niobium (Nb) is chosen as an alloying element which replaces toxic Al and V elements. The effect Nb on the Ti–Sn–Nb alloy was studied. Three set of variations of Nb namely 5%, 7.5% & 10% were used for the improvement of properties of parent alloy. The particle dimensions of the parent alloy were analyzed through a laser particle analyzer (LPA). Morphology was studied through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and phases were determined through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Vicker (450SVA) tester was utilized to examine the effect on rigidity after the addition of Nb. The hardness of the alloy was decreasing and corrosion rate was increasing with an increase in Nb content. Furthermore, niobium addition enhances the ability of appetite formation when immersed in the Stimulated body fluid (SBF).

Developing a New Beta‐Type of Ti–Si/Sn Alloys for Targeted Orthopedic Therapeutics: Assessments of Biological Characteristics

Titanium (Ti) alloys are widely used in tissue engineering, but their applications are limited by low strength, bactericidal properties, and metal ion release. Beta Ti alloys are promising materials for load‐bearing orthopedic implants due to their excellent corrosion resistance and high biocompatibility. Herein, developed new beta‐Ti alloys including Ti–Nb–Zr–Sn (Ti–Sn) and Ti–Nb–Zr–Ta–Si (Ti–Si) to improve structural and biochemical features of the existing Ti alloys as orthopedic implants. The new Ti–Sn and Ti–Si alloys were fabricated using mechanical ball milling and spark plasma sintering techniques respectively and compared with commercially pure Ti alloys on hydrophilicity, surface characteristics and cytotoxicity, proliferative and osteogenic differentiation effects as well as biocompatibility in human bone osteosarcoma cell line (MG63). The new beta Ti alloys showed no significant differences in proliferation and cytotoxicity on the MG63 cells. Both Ti–Sn and Ti–Si alloys, compared to the commercial pure Ti, improved the biological profile and upregulated the expressions of runt‐related transcription factor 2, osterix, and collagen mRNA levels in the MG63 cells. The Ti–Si alloy showed greater cell proliferation and osteoblastic protein expression and a better biological profile compared to the Ti and Ti–Sn alloys. The novel beta Ti alloys exhibited promising potentials in orthopedic applications.

Magnetic and Thermoelectric Properties of Fe–Ti–Sn Alloys

The magnetic and thermoelectric properties of Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3-x</sub> Ti <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">x</sub> Sn (x = 0-1) alloys were investigated. The Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3-x</sub> Ti <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">x</sub> Sn (x = 0.5-1) alloys consisted of the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> TiSn Heusler phase, while the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3-x</sub> Ti <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">x</sub> Sn (x = 0-0.25) alloys contained the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> Sn phase together with the FeSn <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> and Fe phases. Although the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> TiSn specimen showed the low saturation magnetization, the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> Sn specimen exhibited the high saturation magnetization. It was found that the Curie temperature of the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> TiSn phase was around 350 K. Thermoelectric property measurements revealed that the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> Sn specimen was an n-type thermoelectric material, whereas the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> TiSn specimen was a p-type thermoelectric material. The highest power factor of 317 μW/mK <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> was obtained in the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> TiSn specimen, but this value was smaller than that of the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> VAl Heusler compound. This was due to the fact that the Seebeck coefficient of the Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> TiSn specimen was lower than the value expected from a first-principles study.

First-principles study of the phase stability and elastic properties of Ti-X alloys (X = Mo, Nb, Al, Sn, Zr, Fe, Co, and O)

Phase stability and elastic properties of Ti1-x-Xx alloys (X = substitutional Mo, Nb, Al, Sn, Zr, Fe, Co, and interstitial O) in body-centered cubic (bcc) (β phase) and hexagonal close-packed (hcp) (α phase) crystal structures were studied using first-principles calculations. The formation energy was used to determine the dependence of the phase stability on the atomic concentration x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 for substitutional elements and 0 ≤ x < 0.02 for O) of the alloying elements and atomic configurations (ordered, disordered, and other compound structures). The disordered configurations of the atoms in the alloys were considered within the framework of the special quasi-random structures (SQS) method. The composition dependence of elastic constants, isotropic elastic moduli and density of states (DOS) were also evaluated.The predicted formation energies and elastic properties agrees well with previous experimental and theoretical results. Addition of Mo was found to stabilize the β phase significantly while destabilizing the α phase. Nb was found to be a weaker β-stabilizer. In Ti-Al and Ti-Sn systems, the compounds form preferentially at a higher concentration. Zr shows little effect on the phase stability, thus Zr is a neutral element. For Ti-O systems, the octahedral site is the most stable site for interstitial oxygen in both bcc and hcp structures. The comparison of formation energies showed that O acts as an α stabilizer. Considering the configurational entropy contribution, we concluded that temperature effect can be significant to stabilize the phases. The elastic constants calculation revealed that adding Mo, Nb, Fe, or Co increases the mechanical stability of bcc Ti, whereas bcc Ti-Al, Ti-Sn, and Ti-Zr systems are mechanically unstable for all the calculated concentrations. For their hcp counterparts, Ti-Mo and Ti-Nb have lower mechanical stability than the Ti-Al, Ti-O, and Ti-Sn systems. It was found in the electronic structures calculation that increasing addition of Nb, Mo, Fe, and Co weakens the covalent-like bonding of hcp system and strengthens the metallic bonding of bcc system. This variation of the TDOSs of these Ti alloys explains why the bcc phase becomes more stable than the hcp phase at high concentration. Due to the similarity of electronic structure, Zr does not change the DOS of the bcc and hcp phases significantly: The Fermi level in DOS profile of Ti-Zr was found to be identical to that of pure Ti system. Ti-Al and Ti-Sn alloys keep the covalent-like bonding, which explains why hcp Ti-Al and Ti-Sn are stable.

Performance Evaluation and Multidoped Composite Conditioned of A5-type/10%Ti-Sn Alloy: Processing and Properties

The need to improve the mechanical and electrochemical performance of aluminum alloy for extended application is the motivation behind this present work which is the inoculation of TiO2/SnO2 composite particulates on A500 by stir casting route. The effect of Ti/Sn on A500 aluminum series on the properties and microstructure of the produced alloy were investigated. The TiO2/SnO2 was varied from 5 to 10 wt.%. The microstructural properties of these sequence alloys were investigated using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion degradation properties in 3.65% NaCl solution were studied using linear potentiodynamic polarization technique. The wear and hardness of the composite-induced aluminum alloy were measured with dry abrasive MTR-300 testers and high diamond microhardness tester, respectively. The results showed that the average hardness value of 42.56 and 65.5 HV and wear loss of 1.5 and 0.5 g were obtained for the 0% and 10 wt.% TiO2/SnO2 in A500 series. Hence, the addition of TiO2·SnO2 led to the precipitation and modification of complex intermetallic particles like Al2SnTiO and AlSiSn which also indicate a fairly good interfacial interaction. This outcome has established that up to 10 wt.% particulate on A500 aluminum can be used in enhancing the tribology, microhardness, and corrosion mitigation of aluminum alloy.

A comparison of Ti–Ni and Ti-Sn binary alloys processed using powder metallurgy

The simple press-and-sinter powder metallurgical technique has provided an economical route for the manufacture of components from lightweight alloys, including titanium. However, the issue of residual porosity is limiting Ti alloy use in demanding applications. The presence of a liquid phase during sintering can potentially facilitate diffusion, leading to improved densification. In the present work a comparison of liquid phase sintering mechanisms is undertaken, with either persistent or transient liquid formation, for Ti–Ni and Ti–Sn alloys, respectively. Samples are produced using blended elemental powders, with up to 10wt% alloying addition. Compacts were uniaxially pressed, and sintered at 1200–1400°C. The benefit of Ni addition is significant in terms of sintering, with close to full density (~99.5% of theoretical) achieved for optimised conditions. Sn additions also exhibit a beneficial sintering response, particularly at lower temperatures (<1250°C) and for lower concentrations (i.e. 2.5wt%), with densities exceeding 98.5% of theoretical achieved under optimal conditions. The hardening effect is clear for both alloy groups compared to commercially pure-Ti, whereas there was generally an adverse effect on the tensile properties.

Computational Study of Mobilities and Diffusion in Ti-Sn Alloy

Based on the thermodynamic parameters and experimental diffusion data in the literature, the atomic mobilities of bcc Ti-Sn alloys are assessed by the CALPHAD method using DICTRA software package, and boundary mobility parameters of hcp Ti-Sn alloys were also given in the work. Compared with the calculated and measured diffusion coefficients of bcc Ti-Sn, most of the experimental data are reproduced well. The composition-distance profiles of Ti/Ti-4.9 at.% Sn diffusion couple at 1223 K for 14.4 ks were also predicted using the assessed mobility parameters. It is hopeful to provide useful guidance for the design of Ti-based alloys.

Activity Measurement of Titanium-Tin Alloys by Knudsen Effusion Method

The activity of tin in Ti-Sn alloy has been determined at 1400 K by Knudsen effusion method with electrobalance. The activity of titanium was calculated by applying the Gibbs-Duhem relation to the Ti-Sn binary system. The standard Gibbs energy of the formation of intermetallic compound such as Ti3Sn, Ti2Sn, Ti5Sn3 and Ti6Sn5 was calculated at 1400 K by using the activities of components. X-ray diffraction studies were additionally conducted for some samples after the activity measurement. The identified phases were consistent with the phase diagram reported in the literature.

Evaluation of the machinability of Ti–Sn alloys

The machinability of a series of binary Ti–Sn alloys with Sn contents ranging from 1 to 30 mass% was investigated, using commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) as a control. The specimens were slotted using an electric dental handpiece and end mills. Machinability was evaluated by the cutting length, which traveled by the end mill from one edge of the specimen to the other edge. For each metal specimen, a permitted cutting time of 3 min was used to determine its average cut length. The experimental results indicated that alloying with Sn significantly improved the machinability of c.p. Ti in terms of cutting length under the present cutting conditions. The Ti–Sn alloys with a higher Sn concentration could be cut more readily. At 120 m/min, the lengths for Ti–20Sn were about 1.3 and 1.4 times higher than that of c.p. Ti at 200 and 300 gf, respectively. Additionally, the lengths for Ti–30Sn were about 1.7 and 1.8 times higher than that of c.p. Ti at 200 and 300 gf, respectively. For Ti–20Sn and Ti–30Sn, there was no adhesion of metal chips observed in the appearance of the cut surfaces at 120 m/min. Furthermore, they had the lowest surface roughness (Ra) values at 120 m/min. Our research suggests that the Ti–Sn alloys with Sn contents of 20 or 30 mass% developed here are viable candidates for machining at the rotation speed of 120 m/min by the CAD/CAM method.

Microstructure and grindability of as-cast Ti–Sn alloys

In this study, the structure, microhardness, and grindability of a series of binary Ti–Sn alloys with tin contents ranging from 1 to 30 wt% were investigated. Commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) was used as a control. The experimental results indicated that all the Ti–Sn alloys showed hcp α structure, and the hardness values of the Ti–Sn alloys increased with greater Sn contents, ranging from 246 HV (Ti–1Sn) to 357 HV (Ti–30Sn). Among these Ti–Sn alloys, the alloy with 30 wt% Sn content showed the highest hardness value. The grindability of each metal was found to be largely dependent on the grinding conditions. The addition of Sn to c.p. Ti did contribute to improving the grindability of c.p. Ti. The Ti–Sn alloys with a higher Sn concentration could be ground more readily. The grinding rate of the Ti–20Sn alloy at 1200 m/min was about 2.8 times higher than that of c.p. Ti. Additionally, the grinding ratios of the Ti–10Sn, Ti–20Sn, and Ti–30Sn alloys at 1200 m/min were about 2.8, 2.7, and 3.4 times that of c.p. Ti, respectively. Our research suggests that the Ti–Sn alloys with Sn contents of 10 wt% and greater developed here are good candidates for machining by the CAD/CAM method.

Bonding and Separation Behaviors between Ti-Sn Alloys and High Carbon Steel

Ti-Sn binary alloys (Ti-5 to 20 mol% Sn) were diffusion-bonded to high carbon steel between 1073 and 1273 K for 3.6 ks in a vacuum to investigate the influence of the alloy composition on the interfacial microstructures. Ti-5 and 10 mol% Sn alloys were attached firmly to the steel at a bonding temperature of 1273 K. A continuous TiC layer was formed along the interface, while voids were observed between the TiC layer and the steel. Although the joints with Ti-15 and 20 mol% Sn alloys were also prepared at 1273 K, these joints separated near the interface after the bonding treatment. The TiC layer was formed in the separated surface of Ti-Sn alloy, and Fe in the steel diffused into the Ti-Sn alloy. This indicates that the Ti-15 and 20 mol% Sn alloys established contact with the steel at elevated temperatures until just before the separation. The specimens bonded at 1173 K also denoted the same tendency. However, the Ti-15 mol% Sn/steel joint bonded at 1073 K showed a shear strength of more than 50 MPa. The mechanism and the application of the interface separation are discussed on the basis of the microstructural observations.

Design of titanium alloy for efficient sintering to low porosity

Few Ti alloys have been designed for ease of sintering. This paper considers the design of alloys for processing using the mixed elemental technique, in which powders are mixed, cold pressed in a die to near net shape and sintered under vacuum at high temperature. The authors describe steps in the process of developing a Ti–Ni–Sn alloy, able to be sintered to near full density at a sintering temperature as low as 1100°C without requiring unusually fine powder or high compaction pressure. Higher sintering temperature allows the Ni content of the alloy to be reduced, but swelling of the alloy probably imposes an upper limit on practical sintering temperature. The increase in green density, and hence sintered density, conferred by Sn in Ti–Sn alloys, and the increase in sintered density due to the high diffusivity of Ni in Ti–Ni alloys, are combined in Ti–Ni–Sn alloys.

First-principles calculations on the electronic structure and cohesive properties of titanium stannides

First-principles calculations based on the density-functional theory were employed to investigate the electronic structure and cohesive properties of Ti–Sn alloys. Based on the calculated results, the lattice constants, bulk modulus and formation energies for the Ti–Sn intermetallics were compared with previous experimental and theoretical investigations. It was demonstrated that in term of the means volume and cohesive properties, the structure stability of Ti–Sn intermetallics increased with decreasing Ti composition, which was also supported by the analysis of densities of states. Furthermore, it was found that the difference in stability between the Ti–Sn intermetallics could be attributed to the bonding electron numbers at the upper region of the valence-band complex, which was cut by Fermi level. In addition, the electronic structure of the Ti–Sn intermetallics also showed a strong hybridization between Ti 3d and Sn 5p states, which played a dominant role in the bonding mechanism of Ti 3Sn and Ti 2Sn.

An investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties in Cu–Ti–Sn alloys rich in copper

The microstructure and hardness evolution of three alloys based on the system Cu–Ti–Sn, rich in copper, have been investigated (CuTi2 wt.%Sn2.75 wt.%, CuTi3 wt.%Sn2.75 wt.% and CuTi4 wt.%Sn2.75 wt.%). They are characterised by the presence of the ternary eutectic intermetallic CuTi 3Sn 5 in the as cast state. Suitable thermomechanical treatments cannot dissolve this phase. The effect of a variation in Ti content during ageing was studied by microstructure observations (S.E.M.), chemical analysis (W.D.S.), D.T.A, X.R.D. and hardness testing (Vickers). The low hardness obtained led to consider a chromium addition in CuTi4 wt.%Sn2.7 5wt.%. As for last materials, the microstructure of this alloy is related to its Vickers hardness.

Mechanical properties and deformation behavior of as-cast Ti–Sn alloys

In this study, the mechanical properties of as-cast Ti–Sn alloys with Sn content ranging from 1 to 30 wt.% prepared using a dental cast machine were investigated and compared with commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti), which was used as a control. Experimental results indicated that the diffraction peaks of all the Ti–Sn alloys matched those for α Ti, and no β phase peaks or any intermediate phases were found. All the Ti–Sn alloys had higher bending strengths, bending moduli and elastic recovery angles than those of c.p. Ti. For example, the bending strength of the Ti–1Sn alloy was higher than that of c.p. Ti by 68%, its bending modulus was higher than that of c.p. Ti by 43% and its elastically recoverable angle was higher than that of c.p. Ti by as much as 240%. Additionally, the Ti–1Sn, Ti–5Sn and Ti–10Sn alloys exhibited ductile properties. When the Sn content was 20 wt.% or greater, the alloys showed brittle properties. Our research suggested that Ti–1Sn alloy had the most favorable mechanical properties of all the metals in this study, making it the best candidate for prosthetic dental applications.

Phase stability and elastic modulus of Ti alloys containing Nb, Zr, and/or Sn from first-principles calculations

The alloying effects of Nb, Zr, and/or Sn on the phase stability and elastic properties of Ti are investigated by using a first-principles method. Our calculation results indicate that a carefully designed Ti–Nb–Zr–Sn system can be a good candidate for low modulus biomedical materials. We find that the well-known correlation between the e∕a ratio and both elastic and phase stabilities for Ti alloyed with transition metal elements breaks down for the Ti–Sn alloy.