Effects of Mo content on the microstructural and mechanical properties of as-cast Ti-Mo alloys

The effects of Mo content on the mechanical and microstructural properties of as-cast Ti-10Mo wt.% and Ti-15Mo wt.% alloys were measured in order to evaluate their possible use in biomedical applications. The microstructure and phase analysis of as-cast specimens were studied using an optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The micro-Vickers hardness properties of the alloys were examined using Vickers equipment and the elastic modulus was determined using the tensile test. Results indicated that the Mo content influenced the structure-property relationship. The relative density increased significantly with the addition of Mo, the optical microscopy results showed that CP Ti was characterised with an α'-phase lamellar structure and with the addition of Mo, the microstructure composed of β phase with equiaxed grains of different sizes with sub-grain boundaries were observed. The measured XRD patterns showed that the CP Ti consisted of α'-phase and with the addition of Mo, the resultant alloys consisted of the β-phase. The micro-Vickers hardness and elastic modulus increased significantly after the addition of 10 wt.% Mo and then decreased significantly when the Mo content was raised to15 wt.%. (paper)