Structure characterization of biomedical Ti-Mo-Sn alloy prepared by mechanical alloying method

The study presents the results of the influence of high energy milling on the structure of the new Ti-15Mo-5Sn [wt%] alloy for biomedical applications. During testing the powders were milled for the following milling times: 5, 15, 30, and 45 h. The milled powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. Observation of the powder morphology after various stages of milling leads to the conclusion that with the increase of the milling time the size of the powder particles as well as the degree of aggregation change. However, a clear tendency of particles reduction at every stage of the mechanical alloying process is clearly observed. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed the presence of the α and β phases, and molybdenum. It has been found that the reflections from the Sn phase disappeared after five hours of milling, suggesting that the Sn and Ti alloying took place, leading to the creation of a titanium-based solid solution. After 30 and 45 h of mechanical alloying the formation of the β-Ti phase, the final share of which is 46(4) wt%, was observed. Furthermore, it was found that a diffraction line broadening with the increase of the milling time results from reduction of the crystallite size and an increase in the lattice distortion. The maximum level of the reduction of the crystallite size was obtained after 45 h of milling. The maximum degree of the unit cells reduction for all phases present in the powder that was being milled was also observed for this milling time.