Improved Properties of Light Alloys (Ti-, Ti-Alloys) Using Near-Nano and Nano-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

摘要

Near-nano and nano-grained light alloys (Ti, Ti-Alloys) show considerable potential for applications in the biomedical industry. A study is proposed to investigate the increase in mechanical properties produced by cryomilling and consolidating near-nano and nano-grained light alloys. Near-nano and nanocrystalline powders of commercially pure (CP) titanium, and Ti-6%A1-4%V (Ti-6-4) will be produced from cryomilling operations conducted in liquid nitrogen and/or argon. Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and Hot Isostatic Processing (HIP) will be performed to consolidate the cryomilled materials, and mechanical and metallurgical testing will be performed. Microstructural analysis of the CP titanium and Ti-6-4 powders will be performed before and after cryomilling operation. The microstructures of consolidated forms from these materials will also be investigated. Commercially pure aluminum (Series 1100) will be cryomilled and SPS processed to investigate the influence on aluminum as well. The properties of cryomilled and consolidated aluminum and titanium will be compared to the properties of these materials produced using conventional processing. Select specimens will also undergo secondary processing (e.g., cold heading, extrusion) to investigate high volume production. Initial testing indicates a significant increase in the mechanical properties of these near-nano and nano-crystalline materials.