Additively manufactured Ti–Ta–Cu alloys for the next-generation load-bearing implants

Bacterial colonization of orthopedic implants is one of the leading causes of failure and clinical complexities for load-bearing metallic implants. Topical or systemic administration of antibiotics may not offer the most efficient defense against colonization, especially in the case of secondary infection, leading to surgical removal of implants and in some cases even limbs. In this study, laser powder bed fusion was implemented to fabricate Ti3Al2V alloy by a 1:1 weight mixture of CpTi and Ti6Al4V powders. Ti-Tantalum(Ta)–Copper(Cu) alloys were further analyzed by the addition of Ta and Cu into the Ti3Al2V custom alloy. The biological,mechanical, and tribo-biocorrosion properties of Ti3Al2V alloy were evaluated. A 10 wt.% Ta(10Ta) and 3 wt.% Cu(3Cu) were added to the Ti3Al2V alloy to enhance biocompatibility and impart inherent bacterial resistance. Additively manufactured implants were investigated for resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains of bacteria for up to 48 h. A 3 wt.% Cu addition to Ti3Al2V displayed improved antibacterial efficacy, i.e.78%–86% with respect to CpTi. Mechanical properties for Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy were evaluated, demonstrating excellent fatigue resistance, exceptional shear strength, and improved tribological and tribo-biocorrosion characteristics when compared to Ti6Al4V. In vivo studies using a rat distal femur model revealed improved early-stage osseointegration for alloys with10 wt.% Ta addition compared to CpTi and Ti6Al4V. The 3 wt.% Cu-added compositions displayed biocompatibility and no adverse infammatory response in vivo. Our results establish the Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy’s synergistic effect on improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance for the next generation of load-bearing metallic implants.

Preheating-assisted solid-state friction stir repair of Al-Mg-Si alloy plate at different rotational speeds

Additive friction stir deposition(AFSD)is a novel structural repair and manufacturing technology has become a research hotspot at home and abroad in the past five years.In this work,the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of the Al-Mg-Si alloy plate repaired by the preheating-assisted AFSD process were investigated.To evaluate the tool rotation speed and substrate preheating for repair quality,the AFSD technique was used to additively repair 5 mm depth blind holes on 6061 aluminum alloy substrates.The results showed that preheat-assisted AFSD repair significantly improved joint bonding and joint strength compared to the control non-preheat substrate condition.Moreover,increasing rotation speed was also beneficial to improve the metallurgical bonding of the interface and avoid volume defects.Under preheating conditions,the UTS and elongation were positively correlated with rotation speed.Under the process parameters of preheated substrate and tool rotation speed of 1000 r/min,defect-free specimens could be obtained accompanied by tensile fracture occurring in the substrate rather than the repaired zone.The UTS and elongation reached the maximum values of 164.2MPa and 13.4%,which are equivalent to 99.4%and 140%of the heated substrate,respectively.

Effect of Na3AlF6 Addition and Surface Modification of SiCp on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of SiCp/Al Composites

Al-matrix composites reinforced with 56.5 vol% SiC were prepared by powder metallurgy with different amounts of additives and surface modifications of SiCp. The crystalline phase, morphology, elements on the surface of SiCp and the interface between SiCp and Al were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS and EPMA. The results show that it is favorable for the reaction between TiO2-C on the surface of SiCp and Al at the SiCp-Al interface at 1050℃. Besides, the process of Na3AlF6 melting, dissolving and then contacting with Al2O3 formed the NaF-AlF3-Al2O3 system, which generated OA1F^2-, promoting the dessolution of Al2O3 film on the surface of Al powde r. NasAlFe meets the needs of chemical reaction in TiO2-C-Al system at the SiCp- Al interface in the way of offering more molten Al. After 0.75 wt% Na3AlF6 was added into raw materials, the whole TiO2-C film and most SiO2 film were destroyed and the interfacial bonding between SiCp and Al was keeping good, in which no obvious void and crack were observed. Meanwhile, no brittle Al4C3 phase formed in the system. At this time, the flexure strength and density of samples presented optimal values, reaching up to 106.5 MPa and 90.77% respectively.

Influence of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy addition on the grain size of AZ91 alloy

The mechanical properties of castings depend on the grain size.There is evidence that titanium and boron(Al-5Ti-1B master alloy)affect the grain size of magnesium alloys.Here,the influence of the addition of 0-1 wt.%of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy on the grain size of AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated.Melting of the alloy was performed in steel and corundum crucibles.To study the effect of cooling rate on grain size,cylindrical samples were cast in steel and fireclay molds.The Al-5Ti-1B master alloy addition did not change the phase composition of the AZ91 alloy.This study demonstrates that the addition of Al-5Ti-1B did not contribute to the grain refinement of the AZ91 alloy,but rather led to its coarsening for samples cast in both the steel and fireclay molds.Increasing the holding time after the addition of the Al-5Ti-1B master alloy from 15 to 110 minutes also did not lead to significant grain coarsening.The mechanical properties of the AZ91 alloy samples slightly improved after Al-5Ti-1B addition.

MICHAEL ADDITION OF NITROALKANE TO α,β-UNSATURATED CARBONYL COMPOUNDS ON KF / Al_2O_3/ PEG4000

Michael addition of nitroalkanes to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds occurs in the presence of KF/AI_2O_3/PEG4000 without solvent.Yields are fair to good and work-ups are easy.

Effects of Additional Elements on Microstructure and Precipitation Behaviour in Rapidly Solidified Al-Ti Base Alloys

Rapidly solidified Al-Ti base alloys were prepared by melt spinning at the cooling rate about 107 K/s. The melt-spun ribbons were used to observe the dricrostructures after heat treatment.In the supersaturated Al-Tl-Si alloy, age hardening occurred after 1 h anneal in the temperature range of 4000~500℃, which seems to be attributed to the precipitation of metastable Ll2- (Al,Si)3Ti phase. However. the microhardness was relatively low because of the low v/o and the insufflcient stability of precipitates. Thus. Cr was added to Al-Ti-Si alloys in order to stabilize the microstructures and to increase the v/o of precipitate5. As a result. the alIoys containing Cr were evaluated to possess the improved properties at the service temperature.

Effects of Ag addition on mechanical properties and microstructures of Al-8Cu-0.5Mg alloy

The mechanical properties and microstructures of Al-8Cu-0.5Mg alloy with and without Ag addition were studied at both room- and elevated-temperatures. The results show that the alloy with Ag is strengthened by a homogeneous distribution of coexistent θ′ and ? precipitates on the matrix (001) and (111) planes, respectively, whereas the alloy without Ag by θ′ precipitates only. The small size and high volume fraction of θ′ and ? precipitates in the Ag-containing alloy improve the tensile strength and yield strength, especially those at the elevated temperatures. However, it is also responsible for the decrease in elongation, compared with the alloy without Ag, which is due to the microcracks initiated from the inherent incompatibility between the particles and the Al matrix during deformation.

Effect of Ca addition on solidification microstructure of hypoeutectic Al-Si casting alloys

The effect of Ca addition on the solidification microstructure of hypoeutectic Al-Si casting alloys was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods with particular attention focused on the change of morphologies of primary α-Al and eutectic silicon. Meanwhile,solute distribution in solid-liquid was simulated according to Scheil-Gulliver law. Results showed that primary α-Al and eutectic silicon were refined as Ca content increased because of the variation of the solute concentration in liquid. The addition of Ca increased the nucleation sites like Al3Ti or Al2Cu to promote the nucleation of primary α-Al. Affected by modification effect of Ca, the shape of eutectic silicon changed from flake to fibrous structure. In addition, coarse plate Ca-rich phases could be found along the grain boundary with high Ca content.

Influence of Rare Earth(Ce and La) Addition on the Performance of Al-3.0 wt%Mg Alloy

The influences of rare earth elements（cerium and lanthanum） on the microstructure and phases of Al-3.0 wt%Mg alloys used for electromagnetic shielding wire were characterized by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, energy-dispersive spectroscopy（EDS）, X-ray diffraction（XRD） and differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）. The mechanical properties and electrical resistivity were also investigated. The results indicated that a certain content of rare earth could improve the purification of the aluminum molten, enhance the strength, and reduce the electrical resistivity of Al-3.0 wt%Mg alloys. The strength reached the top value when RE content was 0.3 wt% while the alloy with 0.2 wt% RE addition had the smallest electrical resistivity. The elongation varied little when RE addition was no more than 0.2 wt%. But the excessive addition of rare earth would be harmful to the microstructure and properties of Al-3.0 wt%Mg alloys.

Effects of Ag addition on the microstructures and properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloys

Effects of Ag addition on the microsmactures, aging characteristics, tensile properties, electrochemical properties, and intergranu- lar corrosion （IGC） properties of Al 1.1Mg-0.8Si-0.9Cu-0.35Mn4）.02Ti alloy were investigated using scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy. The aging process of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys was accelerated by the addition of Ag. The strength of peak-aged Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys was enhanced by Ag addition because of the high density of β＂- and L-phase age-hardening precipitates. The corrosion performance of the Al-Mg-Sii-Cu alloy is closely related to the aging conditions and is independent of the Ag content. The IGC susceptibility is serious in the peak-aged alloy because of the continuous distribution of Cu-rich Q-phase precipitates along grain boun- daries. Ag addition reduces the size of the grain-boundary-precipitate Q phase and the width of the precipitate-free zone and thus results in decreased IGC susceptibility of Al-Mg-Si Cu alloys.

Effect of Ni addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu–Zn alloys with a high Mg/Si ratio

The effect of adding 0.03wt%Ni on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu–Zn alloys was systematically studied.The results reveal that the number density of spherical Fe-rich phases within grains increases with the addition of Ni,accompanied by the formation of Q(Al3Mg9Si7Cu2)precipitates around the spherical Fe-rich phases.Additionally,Ni addition is beneficial to reducing the grain size in the as-cast state.During the homogenization process,Q phases could be completely dissolved and the grain size could remain basically unchanged.However,compared with the Ni-free alloy,the Fe-rich phase in the Ni-containing alloy is more likely to undergo the phase transformation and further form more spherical particles during homogenization treatment.After thermomechanical processing,the distribution of Fe-rich phases in the Ni-containing alloy was further greatly improved and directly resulted in a greater formability than that of the Ni-free alloy.Accordingly,a reasonable Ni addition positively affected the microstructure and formability of the alloys.

Effect of Cd and Sn Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AI-Si-Cu-Mg Cast Alloy

The present work has investigated the effect of trace elements Cd and Sn on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloy. With the increase of Cd addition the strength of alloy rises at first and then drops. The optimal amount of Cd and Sn addition for Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy is about 0.27% and 0.1% respectively. Due to the formation of some coarse Cd-rich phases and pure Cd particles the mechanical properties of alloy decrease when Cd amount exceeds 0.27%. When more than 0.1% Sn added, some Sn atoms form low-melting eutectic compound at grain boundary, and then cause over-burning in alloy when solution treated, which may deteriorate properties of alloy, especially ductility of alloy. On the other hand, the addition of Cd and Sn remarkably increases the peak hardness and reduces the time to reach aging peak in Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy. The action of Cd /Sn in quaternary Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy is effectively the same as that occur in binary Al-Cu alloy that the enhanced hardening associated with Cd / Sn addition is due to the promotion of the 6’ phase.

Effect of Al Addition on the Glass-Forming Ability and Magnetic Properties of a Gd-Co Binary Amorphous Alloy

The glass-forming ability （CFA） and magnetic properties of the Cd50 Co50-based amorphous alloy with AI addition substitution for Co are investigated. It is found that the CFA and magneto-caloric effect of the Gd50Co45Al5 amorphous alloy are better than Cd50Co50 amorphous alloy. The maximum magnetic entropy change （-△ Sm^peak） and the magnetic refrigerant capacity- of the amorphous alloy under a field of 5 T are about 6.64 J·kg^-1 K^-1 and 764 J·kg^-1, respectively. The field dependence of magnetic entropy change meets the one predicted by the mean field theory, which is investigated for a better understanding of the magneto-caloric behaviors of the Gdso Co45Al5 amorphous alloy.

Electronic Structure Effect on Model Cluster for L1_2 Structure of Al_3Ti Intermetallic Compound with an Addition of Alloying Elements Fe, Ni and Cu

By use of self-consistent field Xα scattered-wave (SCF-Xα-SW) method, the electronic structure was calculated for four models of Ti4Al14X (X=Al, Fe, Ni and Cu) clusters. The Ti4Al14X cluster was developed based on L12 Al3Ti-base intermetallic compound. The results are presented using the density of states (DOS) and one-electron properties, such as relative binding tendency between the atom and the model cluster, and hybrid bonding tendency between the alloying element and the host atoms. By comparing the four models of Ti4Al14X cluster, the effect of the Fe, Ni or Cu atom on the physical properties of Al3Ti-based L12 intermetallic compounds is analyzed. The results indicate that the addition of the Fe, Ni or Cu atom intensifies the relative binding tendency between Ti atom and Ti4Al14X cluster. It was found that the Fermi level (EF) lies in a maximum in the DOS for Ti4Al14Al cluster; on the contrary, the EF comes near a minimum tn the DOS for Ti4Al14X (X=Fe, Ni and Cu) cluster. Thus the L12 crystal structure for binary Al3Ti alloy is unstable, and the addition of the Fe, Ni or Cu atom to Al3Ti is benefical to stabilize L12 crystal structure. The calculation also shows that the Fe, Ni or Cu atom strengthens the hybrid bonding tendency between the central atom and the host atoms for Ti4Al14X cluster and thereby may lead to the constriction of the lattice of Al3Ti-base intermetallic compounds.

EFFECTS OF IMPURITIES AND RARE EARTH ADDITION ON THE TOUGHENING LEVELS OF Al-Li BASED ALLOYS 2090 AND 1420

The effects of the impurities Fe, Si, Na, K and a rare earth addition, Ce, on the intrinsic and extrinsic toughening levels have been investigated for the Al-Li based alloys 2090 and 1420. 29K reduction in the toughening level for the alloy 2090 with impurities 0.42% Fe+Si or 0.0132% Na+K i4 identified to be caused by the impurities.An improvement on the fracture toughness can be made by adding 0.05%-0.25% Ce to the alloy 2090. The reason behind this is that Ce microalloying can not only enhance both the intrinsic toughening level and the extrinsic toughening level but also suppress the embrittling behavior of the impurities. However, 0.06%-0.15% Ce microalloying fails to bring about any beneficial effect to the toughening level for the alloy 1420.

Density Functional Theory Studies on the Addition and Abstraction Reactions of OH Radical with Benzoate Anion

The addition and abstraction reactions of OH radical with benzoate anion are investigated by density functional theory calculations that include solvent effects using UB3LYP, UCAM-B3LYP, UmPW1PW91 and UM06-2X functionals with the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. Geometry optimizations of the reactants, products and transition state species are performed for the possible reaction paths. For the addition reactions, those targeting the ipso-, ortho-, meta- and para-carbons are predicted to be exoergic. The H-atom abstraction reactions from ortho, meta and para positions are also predicted to be exoergic. On the basis of the rate constants calculated by means of the transition state theory, the H-atom abstraction reaction from the ortho position is determined to be the favored path followed by the ortho OH addition reaction.

Effect of Mg Addition on the Structure and Properties of Al-4.5 Cu-3.4 Fe <i>In-Situ</i>Cast Composite

Ternary Al-4.5 (wt%) Cu-3.4 (wt%) Fe in-situ composite was prepared at 1100&#176;C by conventional casting method. However, this particular alloy contains larger needle-shaped intermetallics of Al3Fe phase. These exert adverse effect on the mechanical properties of the alloys. The larger shape and uneven orientation of the intermetallic were found to be responsible for the degradation of properties. The main purpose of this study was to modify the geometry of those needles by adding magnesium (Mg) as a fourth material. A series of alloys were prepared by adding 4, 6, 8, 10, wt% Mg in Al-4.5 (wt%) Cu-3.4 (wt%) Fe alloy. Microstructures were observed by optical microscopy. Mechanical properties like ultimate tensile strength, % elongation, % area reduction, hardness and wear test were determined. The study revealed that Mg transformed the needles of Al3Fe into globular shape which gave the alloys better mechanical properties.

Enhancing the Creep Resistance of Sn-9.0Zn-0.5Al Lead-Free Solder Alloy by Small Additions of Sb Element

The creep phenomenon is considered as one of the most important deformation mechanisms under working conditions. The present study has examined the microstructure and creep properties of Sn-9.0Zn-0.5Al solder alloy after adding a small amount of Antimony (Sb). Nominal compositions of Sb additions were chosen to be 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.%. The minimum strain rate was reduced for the Sb containing solder alloy. The stress exponents, n, were found to be around 3.7 for all soldiers at 130°C. The stress exponent increases as the temperature drops from 100°C to 50°C, except for the 1.0% Sb alloy, where n 5.3 - 6.1 at all the temperature range (T = 50°C, 100°C and 130°C). The results reveal that the Sb-containing solder alloys have better creep resistance with greater ductility than the Sb-free alloy due to solid solution strengthening, and intermetallic compound SnSb particle hardening.

激光-电弧复合增材制造Al-Cu合金T型结构微观组织演变与熔池流动行为分析

在T型结构增材制造过程中,交叉节点处易出现冶金结合不良及重熔缺陷等问题,制约该结构性能的提升。采用激光-电弧复合增材制造技术制备了Al-Cu合金T型结构,对交叉节点处的组织形貌进行了表征,并通过数值模拟分析了节点处熔池内的温度分布以及流动特征。结果表明,在T型结构节点处能够观察到重熔作用所导致的弧形条纹特征,该区域的模拟形貌与实际结果具有良好的一致性;熔池边界处等温线分布较为密集,内部Marangoni对流导致逆时针涡流的形成,最高流速可达0.16 m/s。依据顶层晶粒形态差异,分为顶层节点重熔区(RZI)和顶层热影响区(HAZ)。其中RZI内主要为细小的树枝晶,平均晶粒尺寸相比于HAZ降低了20.8%,内部析出相主要为与α-Al基体呈非共格界面的大尺寸θ(Al_(2)Cu)相;平均显微硬度可达(98.4±6.4)HV_(0.1),相比于未重熔区最高提升约14.0%。

Study of residual stresses and distortions from the Ti6Al4V based thinwalled geometries built using LPBF process

The current paper focuses on the prediction of residual stresses and distortions in the Laser Powder Bed Fusion(LPBF)built Ti6Al4V thin-walled geometries using Ansys Additive Print(AAP)software which employs a layer-by-layer accumulation of inherent strain to calculate the deformations.Isotropic and anisotropic strain scaling factors were calibrated initially within the APP software for the Ti6Al4V based single cantilever beam geometry.Subsequently,the numerical simulations were performed in APP software and computed the residual stresses and distortions for the varied process parameters including laser power,scan speed and hatch distance while maintaining the layer thickness constant for all the design iterations.The numerical predictions were compared;they were found to match reasonably well with the XRD measurements within the calibrated regime.