Materials Science Forum, Vol.416-4, 257-262, 2003
Dissolution of niobium particles during Ti-6Al-Mb sintering
The Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy, with alpha+beta microstructure, was commercially developed aiming the replacement of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in the manufacture of surgical implants owing to its largest biocompatibility. The alloy processing by powder metallurgy eases the obtainment of parts with complex geometry and probably, cheaper. Samples of this alloy were obtained from hot uniaxial pressing of the elementary powders, in vacuum. The pressing was carried out in the range 700-1500degreesC with compaction pressures of 20MPa. The alloy was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA), Vickers microhardness measurements and density. In this work, the elementary powders behavior was investigated during sintering stage. The niobium particles act as beta-phase nucleator agent and command the growth of the Widmanstatten microstructure.