Microstructural evolution during hot pressing of the blended elemental Ti-6%Al-7%Nb alloy

The Ti-6%Al-7%Nb (wt.%) α-β alloy was developed aiming the replacement of the traditional Ti-6%Al-4%V alloy in surgical implants owing to its larger biocompatibility. Samples of this alloy were obtained using the blended elemental (BE) technique. The isochronal hot pressing of the compacts was carried out in the range 700-1500 deg. C with a compaction pressure of 20 MPa and a heating rate of 20 deg. C min-1. In this work, the behavior of the elementary powders during the hot pressing and the corresponding microstructural evolution were investigated. The alloy was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the backscattered mode (BSE), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and density measurements. The results indicate that the homogenization of the alloy is diffusion-controlled and Ti.Al intermediary compounds (TiAl and Ti3Al) are formed at lower temperatures. With increasing temperature, homogenization of the alloy takes place and a coarse plate-like α+intergranular β structure is found throughout the microstructure in temperatures above 1300 deg. C. The process variables were defined aiming to minimize interstitial pick-up (C, O, and N) and avoiding intensive grain growth