Preliminary study on the phase transformation of Ti-3Mo applying solid solution treatment for bone implant application

Abstract

This paper aims to find the phase transformation of Ti-3Mo at% applying solid solution treatment. Methodology: the Ti-3Mo specimens were produced by using arc melting furnace followed by homogenization in vacuum capsule at 1200 o C for an hour. After that, the specimens were hot-rolled into 1.5 mm in thickness. Then, the specimens were solid solution treated at 1000 o C for 10 minutes followed by rapid cooling (quenching). Phase and microstructure observation were conducted using XRD and optical microscope. TEM was also used in this study. Vickers hardness test was applied to confirm the homogeneity of the specimens. Results: It was found that α''-martensite titanium with orthorhombic cell structure was the main phase of Ti-3Mo after solid solution treated followed by rapid cooling. Analysis of volume indicated that α''-martensite unit cell had similarity to β-phase titanium but 0.792% greater in volume. Further heat treatment needed to be applied in order to ensure the formation of β-phase in the specimen. Applications: This study shows that the presence of molybdenum element in titanium alloys can prevent the formation of α hexagonal close packed (hcp) phase at room temperature.