Analyzing the Deformation and Fracture of Bioinert Titanium, Zirconium and Niobium Alloys in Different Structural States by the Use of Infrared Thermography

Abstract

Bioinert metals are used for medical implants and in some industrial applications. This study was performed to detect and analyze peculiarities that appear in the temperature distributions during quasi-static tensile testing of bioinert alloys. These alloys include VT1-0 titanium, Zr-1%Nb and Ti-45%Nb in both coarse-grain (CG) and ultrafine-grain (UFG) states. The crystal structure, as well as the crystal domain and grain sizes of these alloys in the UFG state, may be different from the CG versions and identifying the thermal signatures that occur during their deformation and fracture is of interest, as it may lead to an understanding of physical processes that occur during loading. By comparing the surface temperature distributions of specimens undergoing deformation under tensile loading to the distributions at maximum temperatures it was found that the observed differences depend on the alloy type, the alloy structural state and the thermal properties of structural defects in the specimen. Macro-defects were found in some specimens of VT1-0 titanium, Zr-1Nb and Ti-45Nb alloys in both the CG and UFG states. The average tensile strength of specimens containing defects was lower than that of specimens with no defects. Infrared thermography documents change in the thermal patterns of specimens as they are deformed under tensile loading and when the load stops changing or the specimen breaks.

Analysis of the Temperature Distribution on the Surface of Saddle-Shaped Briquettes Consolidated in the Roller Press

“…Thermography is used in the widely understood diagnostics of machines and their components, starting from CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tools [11], through mechanical expanders [12], rotating machines [13], belt conveyors [14], internal combustion engines (catalytic reactors) [15,16], bearings and bearing nodes [17,18], brakes [19], up to electrical devices and machines [20][21][22][23]. Attempts have been made to correlate strength tests and stresses in the material with the amount of heat generated [24]. Loaded ropes and steel chains were examined in order to determine their weak points [25].…”

In vitro biological and antimicrobial properties of chitosan-based bioceramic coatings on zirconium

“…Zirconium can be a potential candidate for surgical implant material due to its promising properties such as low Young’s Modulus (92 GPa) and excellent biocompatibility compared to titanium and its alloys 2 – 4 . However, zirconium cannot directly bond to bone tissue at an early stage after implantation due to its bioinert nature 5 , 6 . Moreover, the microbial property of zirconium may cause postoperative infection 7 – 9 .…”

Characteristic Features of Ultrafine-Grained Ti-45 wt.% Nb Alloy under High Cycle Fatigue

“…The mechanical properties of the CG and UFG Ti-45Nb samples are listed in Table 2 . A detailed description of the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-45Nb alloy samples with a different structure subjected to quasi-static stress has been published in [ 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”

“…The as-received rods were cut into billets (40 mm in length and 25 mm in diameter) for further molding and pressing, followed by plastic deformation. The UFG structure in the investigated alloy was formed by the two-stage SPD method, which included multidirectional forging (abc–forging) and multipass rolling in grooved rollers, with further recrystallization annealing [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. The method of producing the Ti-45Nb alloy billets is presented in Figure 1 .…”