Mechanical properties and microstructure of Ti-Mn alloys produced via powder metallurgy for biomedical applications

Titanium and especially its alloys are highly employed materials in biomedical applications because of their balanced mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Ti-Mn alloys (1, 5, and 10 wt%. Mn) were produced by powder metallurgy as a potential alternative material for biomedical applications. Two sets of samples were produced, one set as-sintered and the other was beta (β) forged. For the as-sintered samples with a content of up to 10 wt% Mn, the tensile strength ranged from 606 to 1070 MPa. On the other hand, for the β forged alloys the tensile strength ranged from 728 to 1224 MPa and the maximum value was for Ti-5Mn. Forged Ti-5Mn exhibits a good balance of mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength (1224 MPa), elongation (4.6%) and Vickers hardness (415 HV). The purely elastic properties of the Ti-10Mn alloy is attributed to the effects of the omega (ω) phase, the formation of which is due to the high amount of beta stabiliser added to Ti.