Deformation behavior of metastable β-type Ti-25Nb-2Mo-4Sn alloy for biomedical applications

The deformation behavior of metastable β-type Ti-25Nb-2Mo-4Sn (wt%) alloy subjected to different thermo-mechanical treatments was discussed by the combining results from transmission electron microscope, tensile test and in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Visible "double yielding" behavior, which is characterized by the presence of stress-plateau, was observed in the solution treated specimen. Upon a cold rolling treatment, the Ti-25Nb-2Mo-4Sn alloy performs nonlinear deformation because of the combined effects of elastic deformation and stress-induced α″ martensitic transformation. After the subsequent annealing, the β phase is completely stabilized and no stress-induced martensitic transformation takes place on loading due to the inhibitory effect of grain boundaries and dislocations on martensitic transformation. As a result, the annealed specimen exhibits linear elastic deformation.