Synthesis of Ti-Al-xNb Ternary Alloys via Laser-Engineered Net Shaping for Biomedical Application: Densification, Electrochemical and Mechanical Properties Studies

Abstract

The lives of many people around the world are impaired and shortened mostly by cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Despite the fact that medical interventions and surgical heart transplants may improve the lives of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, the cost of treatments and securing a perfect donor are aspects that compel patients to consider cheaper and less invasive therapies. The use of synthetic biomaterials such as titanium-based implants are an alternative for cardiac repair and regeneration. In this work, an in situ development of Ti-Al-xNb alloys were synthesized via laser additive manufacturing for biomedical application. The effect of Nb composition on Ti-Al was investigated. The microstructural evolution was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A potentiodynamic polarization technique was utilized to investigate the corrosion behavior of TiAl-Nb in 3.5% NaCl. The microhardness and corrosion behaviour of the synthesized Ti-Al-Nb alloys were found to be dependent on laser-processing parameters. The microhardness performance of the samples increased with an increase in the Nb feed rate to the Ti-Al alloy system. Maximum microhardness of 699.8 HVN was evident at 0.061 g/min while at 0.041 g/min the microhardness was 515.8 HVN at Nb gas carrier of 1L/min, respectively.

Microstructural evolution and nano-mechanical properties of Ti-Al-based alloys synthesized by laser in-situ alloying

“…370, 03001 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202237003001 MATEC Web of Conferences 2022 RAPDASA-RobMech-PRASA-CoSAAMI Conference carrier of Ti and Al set to 4.1 and 2.4L/min respectively. The experimental protocol is coherent with the work of Kanyane et.al[12] …”

“…The addition of chromium (Cr) was noted to have a beneficial effect on the Ti-Al matrix [10,11]. Laser additive manufacturing (LAM), also known as 3D printing, which achieves material printing by piling incremental melt pools of materials layer by layer offers a new path for the synthesizing of Ti-Al-based alloys and complex components [5,12]. Here, additive manufacturing is known to be more economical than conventional methods.…”