Tribo(corrosion) of Ti-15Nb alloys prepared via arc melting and laser additive manufacturing

• Grant number: 24/00330-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 22, 2024
• Effective date (End): August 21, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Conrado Ramos Moreira Afonso
• Grantee: Ana Júlia Possato Minorello da Silva
• Supervisor: Vicente Amigo Borras
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia (UPV), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/11661-7 - MICROSTRUCTURE EVOLUTION IN Ti-15Nb ALLOYS PREPARED BY ARC MELTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, BP.IC

Abstract

Titanium alloys are known for their biomedical applications, particularly in orthopedic implants, due to their properties such as high mechanical strength, low elastic modulus, biocompatibility, good corrosion resistance and low density. Based on these attributes, the Ti-6Al-4V (%wt.) alloy has been widely used. However, some medical issues were found with alloying elements Al and V because of the toxic effects. Additionally, the Ti-64 alloy can cause stress shielding, highlighting the need to explore more viable alternatives. In this context, ²-Ti alloys emerge as a favorable solution, with the Ti-15Nb (%wt.) alloy being a noteworthy example under investigation.In this research, the Ti-15Nb alloy will be produced by two different processing routes: arc melting and laser additive manufacturing (LAM). Subsequently, it will undergo corrosion and tribocorrosion tests with a solution that simulates human fluid (SBF - simulated body fluid). This is important due to orthopedic implants applications that are subjected to significant and cyclic loads in corrosive media conditions, such as the presence of synovial fluid. Finally, microstructure, roughness, and wettability analysis will be performed to understand the effects caused through the tribocorrosion and corrosion tests in specific conditions.To reach these goals, this scientific initiation project (BEPE of FAPESP) proposes the corrosion and tribocorrosion tests abroad in Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) in Valencia - Spain with prof. Vicente Amigó, where all the structure and equipment are available to execute the proposal. The characterization will be done using the techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of Ti-15Nb alloy samples (cast and LAM process) before and after corrosion/tribocorrosion tests; roughness through confocal laser microscopy (CLSM) and wettability before and after corrosion/tribocorrosion tests; eventually a sample after corrosion/tribocorrosion tests will be prepared by FIB (focused ion beam in order to perform transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of surface generated after test. One paper is planned to be written and published regarding this research theme evaluating and comparing the behavior of Ti-15Nb alloy samples (cast and LAM process) in terms of corrosion resistance and tribocorrosion properties.