Effect of Sn addition on the microstructure and superelasticity in Ti–Nb–Mo–Sn Alloys

Ti–7.5 Nb–4Mo–xSn (x=0–4 at%) alloys were developed as the biomedical materials. The effect of the Sn content on the microstructure and superelasticity of the alloys was investigated. It is found that Sn is a strong stabilizer of the β phase, which is effective in suppressing the formation of α″ and ω phases in the alloys. Moreover, the Sn addition has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the alloys. With the increase of Sn addition, the yield stress of the alloys increase, but their elastic modulus, the fracture strength and the ductility decrease, and the deformation mode of the alloys changes from (322) twining to α″ transformation and then to slip. The Ti–7.5 Nb–4Mo–1Sn and Ti–7.5 Nb–4Mo–3Sn alloys exhibit a good superelasticity with a high σSIM due to the relatively high athermal ω phases containing or the solution hardening at room temperature. Under the maximum strain of 5%, Ti–7.5 Nb–4Mo–3Sn (at%) alloy exhibits higher super elastic stability than that of Ti–7.5 Nb–4Mo–1Sn alloy.

► Ti–7.5Nb–4Mo–xSn SMA were designed based on the d-electron orbit theory.
► Sn has a significant influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties.
► The Ti–5Mo–7.5Nb–1Sn and Ti–5Mo–7.5Nb–3Sn alloys exhibit good super elastic behaviors.
► The Ti–5Mo–7.5Nb–3Sn alloy exhibits high super elastic stability.