ABSTRACT
In this study, Ti-15Zr-xMo (5, 10, 15, and 20â¯wt%) alloys were submitted to solution and aging treatments and their effects evaluated in terms of phase composition and selected mechanical properties (Vickers microhardness and Young's modulus) for use as biomedical implants. The solution treatment was performed at 1123â¯K for 2â¯h, while aging treatments were carried out at 698â¯K for 4, 8, and 12â¯h, followed by water quenching. Phase composition and microstructure were dependent of the heat treatments, with Ti-15Zr-5Mo (αâ¯+â¯ß type) and Ti-15Zr-10Mo (metastable ß type) alloys exhibiting intense α phase precipitation. The α-phase precipitates were related to αâ³â¯ââ¯α and ßâ¯ââ¯α phase decompositions. The Ti-15Zr-10Mo alloy exhibited an intermediary isothermal ω-phase precipitation after aging for 4â¯h. Vickers microhardness and Young's modulus values changed gradually with the amount of α phase. Aged Ti-15Zr-15Mo and Ti-15Zr-20Mo alloys presented better combinations of hardness and Young's modulus than CP-Ti and Ti-64 ELI for biomedical applications.
