Microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti–Mo alloys cold-rolled and heat treated

In this study, the microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti–10Mo and Ti–20Mo alloys (mass%) are investigated to assess the potential use in biomedical applications. The microstructures are examined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties are determined from uniaxial tensile tests. The experimental results indicate that the microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti–Mo alloys are dependent upon the cold rolling, solution heat treatment, and Mo content. The Ti–10Mo alloy exhibits (α″ + β) and (β + ω) phases under the cold rolling (CR) and solution treatment (ST), respectively. By contrast, the Ti–20Mo alloy comprises only β phase under such conditions. The quenched Ti–20Mo alloy has the lowest elastic modulus and CR Ti–20Mo alloy has the highest tensile strength. The quenched Ti–10Mo alloy exhibits the excellent ductility and two-stage yielding from stress-strain curves due to the stress-induced martensite transformation from β to α″ during tensile deformation. These Ti–Mo alloys exhibit low yield strength and good ductility, and they are more suitable for biomedical applications than the conventional metallic biomaterials from the viewpoint of better mechanical compatibility. The quenched Ti–10Mo alloy has some advantages over the other β binary Ti–Mo alloys for biomedical applications. β type Ti–Mo–Sn alloys are expected to be promising candidates for novel metallic biomaterials.