Quasi-static torsional deformation behavior of porous Ti6Al4V alloy

Laser processed Ti6Al4V alloy samples with total porosities of 0%, 10% and 20% have been subjected to torsional loading to determine mechanical properties and to understand the deformation behavior. The torsional yield strength and modulus of porous Ti alloy samples was found to be in the range of 185–332 MPa and 5.7–11 GPa, respectively. With an increase in the porosity both the strength and the modulus decreased, and at 20% porosity the torsional modulus of Ti6Al4V alloy was found to be very close to that of human cortical bone. Further, the experiments revealed clear strain hardening and ductile deformation in all the samples, which suggests that the inherent brittleness associated solid-state sintered porous materials can be completely eliminated via laser processing for load bearing metal implant applications.