Biocompatible Titanium Alloy for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current titanium-based alloys for biomedical applications have limitations in additive manufacturability, biocompatibility, and microstructure stability, with traditional compositions often requiring costly and time-consuming experimental development and containing elements with adverse health effects.
Innovation Solution
A titanium-based alloy composition with specific ranges of niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, zirconium, and tin is developed, optimized using the 'Alloys-By-Design' method to enhance biocompatibility, manufacturability, and mechanical performance, while minimizing toxic elements and improving microstructural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional titanium-based alloys are used for biomedical applications, then mechanical strength is achieved, but additive manufacturability deteriorates due to cracking susceptibility and microstructure instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting the chemical composition parameters of the titanium alloy, specifically limiting Al to 0.5-6.0 wt%, V to 0.5-5.0 wt%, Fe to 0.5-3.0 wt%, and incorporating specific amounts of Mo, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Sn to achieve optimal microstructure stability and additive manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite alloy system by combining multiple alloying elements (Mo, Nb, Ta, Zr, Sn) with titanium base, where each element contributes specific properties: Mo and Nb for beta-phase stabilization and grain refinement, Ta for high-temperature strength, Zr for biocompatibility, and Sn for corrosion resistance, achieving synergistic effects that resolve the contradiction between manufacturability and reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional alloy compositions are used, then mechanical performance is achieved, but biocompatibility deteriorates due to presence of toxic elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing or severely limiting toxic elements (Al to 0.5-6.0 wt%, V to 0.5-5.0 wt%, Fe to 0.5-3.0 wt%) from the alloy composition that are known to have adverse health effects, while maintaining mechanical strength through substitution with biocompatible alternative elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by introducing biocompatible elements (Mo: 2.0-10.0 wt%, Nb: 5.0-15.0 wt%, Ta: 2.0-10.0 wt%, Zr: 2.0-10.0 wt%, Sn: 2.0-10.0 wt%) that have proven non-toxic and bone-friendly properties, thereby improving biocompatibility while preserving mechanical performance
3Strength
If alloying elements are added to improve mechanical properties, then strength increases, but manufacturing complexity increases due to solidification range expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific functional roles to different alloying elements: Mo and Nb primarily for grain refinement and beta-phase stabilization, Ta for high-temperature strength, Zr for biocompatibility, and Sn for corrosion resistance, with each element added in controlled amounts (2.0-10.0 wt% range) to achieve targeted local improvements without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of alloying elements within specific ranges (Mo: 2.0-10.0 wt%, Nb: 5.0-15.0 wt%, Ta: 2.0-10.0 wt%, Zr: 2.0-10.0 wt%, Sn: 2.0-10.0 wt%) to balance strength enhancement with manageable solidification behavior, avoiding excessive alloying that would expand the solidification range and complicate manufacturing
Data Source
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AI summary
A titanium-based alloy composition consisting in weight percent, of: between 15.0 and 35.0 % niobium, between 0.0 and 7.5 % molybdenum, between 0.0 and 20.0% tantalum, between 0 and 7.0% zirconium, between 0 and 6.0% tin, between 0.0 and 2.0% hafnium, between 0.0 and 0.5 % aluminium, between 0.0 and 0.5 % vanadium, between 0.0 and 0.5 % iron, between 0.0 and 0.5 % chromium, between 0.0 and 0.5% cobalt, between 0.0 and 0.5 % nickel, between 0.0 and 1.0% silicon, between 0.0 and 0.2% boron, between 0.0 and 0.5% calcium, between 0.0 and 0.5% carbon, between 0.0 and 0.5% manganese, between 0.0 and 0.5% gold, between 0.0 and 0.5% silver, between 0.0 and 0.5% oxygen, between 0.0 and 0.5% hydrogen, between 0.0 and 0.5% nitrogen, between 0.0 and 0.5% palladium, between 0.0 and 0.5% lanthanum, the balance being titanium and incidental impurities, wherein the composition satisfies the following equation: 0.0175Nb + 0.0183Mo + 0.03Ta + 0.0116Zr + 0.1Sn > 1.0 where Nb, Mo, Ta, Zr and Sn represent the amounts of niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, zirconium and tin in wt% respectively.