Work on the modification of the structure and properties of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy for biomedical applications

Purpose: The paper attempts to improve the properties of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy by the using of the injection casting method with rapid cooling. The comparison of the structure and properties of the Ti6Al4V titanium alloy formed by two methods: the injection casting under pressure in two variants under air and vacuum with using a rapid cooling and purchased commercially were carried out. Design/methodology/approach: Samples were produced by two methods: unconventional casting by injection under pressure of gas or vacuum to copper mold with rapid cooling, and a traditional method for the production of titanium alloys in a form of a rod. To achieve the pursued objective the following tests were performed: microstructural observations – light microscope and SEM, corrosion resistance tests, microhardness tests – Vickers method. Findings: Microstructural observations showed that the Ti6Al4V titanium alloy produced by injection casting method under pressure with rapid cooling is able to produce extremely fine-grained layer and ductile core. That distribution of structures significantly affect on the improvement of a number of properties compared to commercially produced material. Moreover, during process increased corrosion resistance was observed. Those properties have a significant impact on the possibility of using that type of a production method and material in many areas of materials science related with medicine. Research limitations/implications: In the framework of the studies, tests using living tissues, which would allow to determine whether the produced material is biocompatible and does not cause inflammation, have not been conducted. Practical implications: The application of injection casting carries some complications, which mainly relate to quartz capillary where ingot is melted. Titanium as a reactive element strongly absorbs silicon out of the capillary causing changes in the chemical composition in the surface layer of the final element. Further studies will be attempted to use a different type of material wherein the alloy will be melted. Originality/value: The paper presents the improvement of the properties of materials produced under pressure by casting injection, compared to the same material produced by a commercial method.

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Opracowanie ze środków MNiSW w ramach umowy 812/P-DUN/2016 na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (zadania 2017)