Abstract
In order to obtain a low-cost β-titanium alloy for biomedical applications a novel Ti-Mn-Nb alloy processed by metal injection molding (MIM) has been developed. Both Mn and Nb belong to β-Ti stabilizing elements. Mn as an essential trace element in the human body can partly replace the more expensive niobium while good tensile strength and elongation is retained. However, use of powder blends and polymeric binder and the evolving microstructure specific to sintering are challenges during MIM fabrication. In this study very good properties were achieved for MIM processed Ti-4Mn-2Nb (at.%) alloy, namely YS of 642 MPa, UTS of 725 MPa and high ductility of 16% elongation to fracture. This performance is close to ASTM F2885 (MIM Ti-6Al-4V) requirements. The alloy consists of α-phase, β-phase and a small amount of carbide. Its Young’s modulus is 92 GPa. Residual porosity after sintering for 4 hours at 1500 °C was 2.9%.
