Microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melted biomaterial Ti-13Nb-13Zr compared to hot-forging

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the biomaterial Ti-13Nb-13Zr prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) and hot-forging techniques were studied comparatively. The microstructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Electron probe X-ray microscopy (EPMA) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the capability of SLM-process to produce parts with tensile strength and yield strength are better than those hot-forging processed samples due to the finer grains, more uniform composition distribution and the accumulation of dislocations in the SLM-processed materials. However, the crystallographic texture in the building direction, porosity, and the presence of α' phases are responsible for the lower ductility of the SLM-processed samples when compared with the hot-forged samples.