Effects of TiB on the mechanical properties of Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr alloy for use in biomedical applications

TiB2 was added to β-type Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr (TNTZ) to enhance its mechanical properties and lower its Youngʹs modulus, and the microstructures and mechanical properties of TNTZ with 0.05–0.50 mass%B were investigated. The B concentration of TNTZ was controlled by varying the amount of added TiB2. TNTZ with 0.05–0.50 mass%B consists of a β-phase with a small amount of TiB. As the B concentration increases, these TiB precipitates become increasingly efficient at preventing texture movement. The microstructure of TNTZ is refined by TiB, and the TNTZ grain size decreases as the B concentration increases. Moreover, the Youngʹs moduli of TNTZ with 0.05–0.50 mass%B remain below 70 GPa, and are almost similar to that of TNTZ without TiB. The tensile strength of TNTZ with 0.05–0.50 mass%B is slightly improved, and the optimum tensile strength is enhanced by approximately 8%. TNTZ with 0.10 mass%B exhibits a good balance between tensile strength and the elongation. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the creation of a TNTZ-based material with improved mechanical properties and maintained Youngʹs modulus that can be used as dental and orthopedic biomaterials.