Powder Metallurgy Fabrication and Characterization of Ti6Al4V/xCu Alloys for Biomedical Applications

Ti6Al4V (Ti64) alloy is the most used metal material for bone implants because of its good biocompatibility and adapted mechanical properties. Nevertheless, it shows low antibacterial activity, which may favor failure. Addition elements such as copper should avoid this drawback. This work studies addition Cu into a Ti64 matrix resulting in Ti64/xCu composites. Powder mixtures were compacted die then sintered at 1100 °C. Sintering kinetics indicate that densification achieved by pore filling due to eutectic liquid formed reaction Ti Cu. The microstructure samples composed mainly α-Ti Ti2Cu phases, but TixCuy intermetallics also found. Microhardness increased formation harder phases Ti2Cu. However, stiffness compression strength are barely same all corrosion resistance significantly improved Finally, with 15 wt% showed best compromise.