Obtention of Nb47Ti and Ti13Nb13Zr Alloys Powders by Hydride-Dehydride Process for Additive Manufacturing Applications

In this work, the hydride-dehydride process (HDH) parameters to obtain Nb47Ti and Ti13Nb13Zr alloys powders were investigated, aiming the production of orthopedic implants by additive manufacturing (AM). Nb47Ti and Ti13Nb13Zr alloys were previously obtained by electron beam melting furnace (EBMF). During the hydriding step, the alloys were heated at two activation temperatures, 800 and 1000 °C, under constant hydrogen pressure (1.8 bar), for 40 min followed by a controlled cooling rate step (2 °C/min). The hydride alloys were milled in a ring-type mill, for milling times ranging from 2 to 6 min, until to achieve the required particle size range (between 15 and 45 μm). The dehydriding step of the alloys was carried out under high vacuum at 700 °C for times up to 5 h. The alloys treated under distinct HDH steps were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic image analysis, inert gas fusion and gravimetry. The alloys hydrides (δTiHx phase) were detected in both investigated activation temperatures, with hydrogen (H) contents up to 3.04 and 3.62 wt.% for the Nb47Ti and Ti13Nb13Zr alloys, respectively. During the hydriding step it was also observed a significant increase of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) contents regarding he as-cast alloys. The Nb47Ti alloy showed a lower embrittlement degree than the Ti13Nb13Zr alloy, resulting in higher milling times to reach the required particle size distribution. The higher oxygen pick up was observed during the milling step. After the dehydriding step, the HDH powders showed H contents lower than 0.01 wt.%, beside a significant N decreasing. Particles with irregular (or angular) shapes were obtained. However, the particle size was in the required range.