Ti alloy design strategy for biomedical applications

Based on the empirical rules for the composition design of bulk metallic glasses, a general composition formula for forming nano/ultrafine-structure is suggested. According to this formula a group of quinary Ti alloys have been developed. By controlling the solidification conditions an in situ formed bimodal microstructure consisting of micrometer-sized dendritic β-Ti solid solution dispersed in a nano/ultrafine-structured matrix has been obtained in these quinary Ti alloys. The β-Ti solid solution contributes to the ductility and the low Young's modulus, while the nano/ultrafine-structured matrix contributes to the high strength. The combination of high strength and low Young's modulus offers potential advantages in biomedical applications.