Mechanical Properties of Ti-Nb Biomedical Shape Memory Alloys Containing 13- and 14-Group Elements

Abstract

In order to replace Ti-Ni shape memory alloys, new biomedical shape memory alloys have been developed which are composed of beta titanium and nontoxic elements only. In this paper, experimental results of mechanical and shape memory properties are reported for the Ni-free Ti-18mol%Nb shape memory alloys containing 3mol% of 13-group and 14-group ternary elements in the periodic table. The ternary elements selected are Al, Ga, In, Ge and Sn. It was found that the solution treated alloys exhibit good shape memory effect but almost no pseudoelasticity at room temperature. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure at room temperature are ranged from 250 to 710MPa and from 13 to 21%, respectively, depending on the kind of ternary elements. Effect of solution hardening on strength is discussed.