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Experimental and computational investigation of Ti-Nb-Fe-Zr alloys with limited Fe contents for biomedical applications

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Abstract

Among many β-metastable alloys explored for biomedical applications, alloys from the Ti-Nb-Fe-Zr system present great potential regarding cost and mechanical strength. In this article, we take a new look at the possibility of using Fe as a minor alloying element in the Ti-Nb-Fe-Zr system, with additions up to 2.0 wt% Fe. Additional compositions fixing the Nb/Fe ratio and changing Zr content from 7–13 wt% were also explored, resulting in a total of five different alloys. The samples were solution-treated and then subjected to three different conditions: water-quenched, furnace-cooled, and step-quenched to 450 ºC for 12 h. Resultant microstructures were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. DSC experiments indicate that Zr might alter the phase transformations that occur during heating and cooling cycles. First-principles calculations confirmed that Zr's addition is crucial to reduce the elastic modulus of the β matrix and increase the ω-phase formation energy relative to β. All alloys presented mechanical properties suitable for biomedical applications; however, Ti-23Nb-2.0Fe-10Zr (wt %) stands out with the best combination of mechanical strength and elastic modulus after aging.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by FAPESP (Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Grant 2014/24449-0) and CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Grant 155650/2018-1). The authors would like to acknowledge the LNNano/CNPEM/Brazil for technical support during the electron microscopy work. The authors thank CBMM for providing the niobium used in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil

    Camilo A. F. Salvador & Caetano R. Miranda

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, 13083-860, Brazil

    Mariana R. Dal Bo, Dalton D. Lima & Rubens Caram

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  1. Camilo A. F. Salvador
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  2. Mariana R. Dal Bo
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Correspondence to Camilo A. F. Salvador.

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Salvador, C.A.F., Dal Bo, M.R., Lima, D.D. et al. Experimental and computational investigation of Ti-Nb-Fe-Zr alloys with limited Fe contents for biomedical applications. J Mater Sci 56, 11494–11510 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06002-0

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