Omega-Phase Titanium Material With Carbon Grains for Stronger Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for titanium materials with higher strength to meet the demands of advanced applications, particularly in medical and aerospace industries.

Innovation Solution

A titanium material comprising 91% by mass or more of titanium, with 49% by mass or more of omega phase, 0.1% to 2% by volume of first grains, and a carbon-to-titanium peak intensity ratio of 0.5 or more, which enhances precipitation strengthening and improves tensile strength and ductility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional titanium materials are used, then biocompatibility is maintained, but strength is insufficient for advanced applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystal phase composition parameter from conventional alpha+beta phases to predominantly omega phase (49% or more by mass), which fundamentally alters the material's strength characteristics while maintaining biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite microstructure combining omega phase titanium with carbon-containing precipitates (first grains) to achieve synergistic strengthening effects, where the carbon precipitates reinforce the omega phase matrix

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If omega phase content is increased to improve strength, then tensile strength increases, but material stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidphase stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition characteristics of titanium, specifically forming omega phase from beta phase through controlled cooling, and stabilizes this metastable phase through carbon precipitation to achieve both high strength and compositional stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful metastable nature of omega phase into a beneficial characteristic by controlling its formation and stabilization through carbon content, transforming a phase that could be considered unstable into a reinforced structure with enhanced properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If carbon content is increased to enhance precipitation strengthening, then tensile strength improves, but ductility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidductility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the carbon content parameter (0.1-2% by volume in first grains) to optimize the balance between precipitation strengthening and ductility, avoiding excessive carbon that would cause brittleness while maintaining sufficient reinforcement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The titanium material achieves high strength, ductility, and biocompatibility, suitable for dental implants and diamond sensor capsules, maintaining strength at elevated temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the titanium material includes 49% by mass or more of titanium having a crystal structure of an omega phase... which enhances precipitation strengthening and improves tensile strength and ductility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation strengthening: Precipitation Hardening

Implementation Method 2

a ratio C2/C1 of a maximum peak intensity C2 originated from carbon to a maximum peak intensity C1 originated from the titanium is 0.5 or more in a spectrum obtained by performing an element analysis on each of the first grains using an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer accompanied with a scanning electron microscope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4715075A1Titanium material, medical member, dental implant component, and capsule for housing diamond sensor
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4715075A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4715075A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4715075A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A titanium material includes 91% by mass or more of titanium, wherein the titanium material includes 49% by mass or more of titanium having a crystal structure of an omega phase, the titanium material includes 0.1% by volume or more and 2% by volume or less of first grains, and a ratio C2/C1 of a maximum peak intensity C2 originated from carbon to a maximum peak intensity C1 originated from the titanium is 0.5 or more in a spectrum obtained by performing an element analysis on each of the first grains using an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer accompanied with a scanning electron microscope.