Per: Bruno Martins de Souza (Instituto Militar de Engenharia), Nathalia Rodrigues de Oliveira Habib Pereira (INSTITUTO MILITAR DE ENGENHARIA), Patrick de Lima Gomes (INSTITUTO MILITAR DE ENGENHARIA), Carlos Nelson Elias (INSTITUTO MILITAR DE ENGENHARIA), Marvin Nascimento (INSTITUTO MILITAR DE ENGENHARIA)
Abstract:
The increasing demand for biocompatible and mechanically robust materials for biomedical applications necessitates the exploration of optimized thermal treatments for alloys such as Ti-47Nb. This study investigates the influence of different heat treatment temperatures on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the Ti-47Nb alloy. The samples were subjected to heat treatments at 900°C, 1000°C, and 1100°C, followed by quenching in water. Characterization techniques, including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vickers microhardness testing, corrosion testing, and wettability tests, were employed to analyze the effects of these treatments. The results demonstrated that higher heat treatment temperatures led to an increase in average grain size and an increased dominance of the β phase, particularly at 1100°C. This microstructural evolution corresponded to enhanced mechanical properties, such as increased hardness. However, the corrosion resistance decreased with higher treatment temperatures, indicating a trade-off between mechanical enhancement and material durability in corrosive environments. Additionally, wettability tests suggested improved surface energy at higher temperatures, potentially enhancing the alloy's biocompatibility. The study highlights the complex relationship between heat treatment conditions and the resultant properties of Ti-47Nb alloys. It was found that while higher temperatures improve mechanical properties, they adversely affect corrosion resistance and may alter biocompatibility. Future research should aim to optimize heat treatment protocols to balance these properties effectively, ensuring the suitability of Ti-47Nb alloys for advanced biomedical applications.
