Papers by Author: Vinicius André Rodrigues Henriques

Abstract: This work discusses on the preparation of Ni-45Ti-5Mo, Ni-40Ti-10Mo and Ni-46Ti-2Mo-2Zr (at-%) alloys by high-energy ball milling and hot pressing, which are potentially attractive for dental and medical applications. The milling process was performed in stainless steel balls (19mm diameter) and vials (225 mL) using a rotary speed of 300rpm and a ball-to-powder weight ratio of 10:1. Hot pressing under vacuum was performed in a BN-coated graphite crucible at 900°C for 1 h using a load of 20 MPa. The milled and hot-pressed materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron scanning microscopy, and electron dispersive spectrometry. Peaks of B2-NiTi and Ni₄Ti₃ were identified in XRD patterns of Ni-45Ti-5Mo, Ni-40Ti-10Mo and Ni-46Ti-2Mo-2Zr powders milled for 1h. The NiTi compound dissolved small Mo amounts lower than 4 at%, which were measured by EDS analysis. Moreover, it was identified the existence of an unknown Mo-rich phase in microstructures of the hot-pressed Ni-Ti-Mo alloys.

Abstract: The present work reports on the structural evaluation of mechanically alloyed Ti-xZr-22Si-11B (x = 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 at-%) powders. Milled powders and hot-pressed alloys were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron scanning microscopy, and electron dispersive spectrometry. The Si and B atoms were preferentially dissolved into the Ti and Zr lattices during ball milling of Ti-xZr-22Si-11B (x = 7, 10, 15 and 20 at-%) powders, and extended solid solutions were achieved. The displacement of Ti peaks was more pronounced to the direction of lower diffraction angles with increasing Zr amounts in mechanically alloyed Ti-Zr-Si-B powders, indicating that the Zr atoms were also dissolved into the Ti lattice.

Abstract: Alfa/beta titanium alloys have been intensely used for aerospace and biomedical applications. Production of powder metallurgy titanium alloys components may lead to a reduction in the cost of parts, compared to those produced by conventional cast and wrought (ingot metallurgy) processes, because additional working operations (machining, turning, milling, etc.) and material waste can be avoided. In this work, samples of Ti- 10, 15Nb (weight%) alloys were obtained by the blended elemental technique using hydride-dehydride (HDH) powders as raw material, followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering carried out in the range 900–1500 °C. These alloys were characterized by X-ray diffractometry for phase composition, scanning electron microscopy for microstructure, Vickers indentation for hardness, Archimedes method for specific mass and resonance ultrasound device for elastic modulus. For the samples sintered at 1500°C it was identified  and  phases. It was observed the influence of the sintering temperatures on the final microstructure. With increasing sintering temperature, microstructure homogenization of the alloy takes place and at 1500 °C this process is complete. The same behavior is observed for densification. Comparing to the Ti6Al4V alloy properties, these alloys hardness (sintered at 1500 °C) are near and elastic modulus are 18% less.

Abstract: Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy is considered an attractive material for implants manufacture due to an excellent combination of properties, including high mechanical and corrosion resistance, beyond the lowest elastic modulus among the titanium alloys. The alloy processing by powder metallurgy (P/M) eases the obtainment of parts with near-net shape forming and low production costs. Samples were produced by mixing of initial metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering between 800-1600 °C, in vacuum. The isochronal sintering demonstrated to be efficient for the study of the microstructural evolution. The samples presented high densification and adequate microstructure. The results show that a beta-homogeneous microstructure is obtained in the whole sample extension when sintered at high temperatures beyond that P/M technology allows an effective porosity control.

Abstract: Powder metallurgy (P/M) of titanium alloys may lead to the obtainment of components having weak-to-absent textures, uniform grain structure and higher homogeneity compared with conventional wrought products. The production of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy by P/M starting from blended elemental (BE) powders is a cost-effective route considering its versatility and also for allowing the manufacture of complex parts. This alloy due its high biocompatibility and lower modulus of elasticity is a promising candidate for implants fabrication. Samples were produced by mixing of initial metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering in order to identify the microstructural evolution. Sintered samples were characterized for phase composition, microstructure, microhardness and density. The surface topography of the samples was studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was shown that the route is adequate to reach high densities with homogeneous microstructure. Representative AFM images allowed distinguishing a lamellar structure caused by the different phases that are present in the surface of the specimens.

Abstract: Titanium nitride (TiN) is an extremely hard material, often used as a coating on titanium alloy, steel, carbide, and aluminum components to improve wear resistance. Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EB-PVD) is a form of deposition in which a target anode is bombarded with an electron beam given off by a charged tungsten filament under high vacuum, producing a thin film in a substrate. In this work are presented results of TiN deposition in targets and substrates of Ti (C.P.) and Ti-13Nb-13Zr obtained by powder metallurgy. Samples were produced by mixing of hydrided metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering between 900°C up to 1400 °C, in vacuum. The deposition was carried out under nitrogen atmosphere. Sintered samples were characterized for phase composition, microstructure and microhardness by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Vickers indentation, respectively. It was shown that the samples were sintered to high densities and presented homogeneous microstructure, with ideal characteristics for an adequate deposition and adherence. The film layer presented a continuous structure with 15m.

Abstract: The titanium alloys are used for applications that demand high performance, including surgical implants and aerospace applications. Powder metallurgy is an advantageous alternative for titanium parts production with complex geometries at a relative low cost. Despite that, it is verified that the introduction of interstitial elements (oxygen, nitrogen and carbon) wile processing these alloys, though can increase hardness and mechanical resistance, which is frequently related to the reduction of ductility and fragility increase. The objective of this work is to investigate the influence of the interstitial elements in commercially pure Ti and Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy produced by powder metallurgy (P/M). Samples were produced by the mixing of hydrided metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering at 1400 °C, in vacuum. Sintered samples were characterized for phase composition, microstructure and microhardness by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Vickers indentation, respectively. The interstitial content was analyzed by Leco equipment. It was shown that the samples were sintered to high densities with a Widmanstatten microstructure. The oxygen and nitrogen contents are above the ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) and the critical issues were identified in the original blended elemental route.

Abstract: The use of titanium and its alloy as biomaterial is increasing due to their low modulus, superior biocompatibility and enhanced corrosion resistance when compared to more conventional stainless steel and cobalt-based alloys. Ti-13Nb-13Zr is a titanium alloy specifically developed for surgical implants. In this work, highly porous titanium foams, with porosities above from 50%, are reached using an efficient powder metallurgical process, which includes the introduction of a selected spacer into the starting powders. Samples were produced by mixing of initial metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering. The samples presented a Widmanstättenlike microstructure in an open cellular morphology with pore size between 200-500 μm.

Abstract: The shear bond strength between a ceramic material (Titankeramik®, Vita Zahnfabrik, Germany) and two biocompatible titanium alloys was investigated. Ti-13%Nb-13%Zr (TNZ) and Ti-35%Nb-7%Zr-5%Ta (TNZT) alloys were obtained based on the blended elemental technique followed by a sequence of cold uniaxial and isostatic pressing and sintering. Characterization involved microstructural analysis (SEM) and crystalline phase identification (XRD). Subsequently, samples were machined to 4 x 4 mm with a base of 5 x 1 mm. The base metals were blasted with Al2O3 particles followed by the application of a coupling agent and opaque ceramic. After ceramic firing, the specimens were loaded in a universal testing machine (0,5mm/min). XRD revealed the presence of α and β-phases for TNZ, and peaks related to β phases and Nb and Ta for the TNZT alloy. SEM evaluation (TNZ) depicted remaining pores and biphasic microstructure formation. SEM micrographs of the TNZT alloy revealed good densification and a homogeneous β structure. Shear bond strength data (MPa) were statistically analyzed (one-way ANOVA and Tukey test, α=.05) revealing that TNZT (37.6 ± 2.91) presented significant higher values (p=0.0002) compared to TNZ (26.03 ± 2.92). In conclusion, it seems that Ti alloy composition plays a significant role on ceramic bonding.

Abstract: Comparing to hydroxyapatite (HA), which forms a strong chemical bond with the bony tissues, metallic materials are not able to bond with bone. For this reason, a great variety of complex coating methods, such as pulse-laser deposition, ion-beam assisted deposition and plasma-spray has been used to form a HA layer onto metallic surfaces. This study evaluated the performance of the biomimetic technique on apatite-based coating formation on two Tialloys. Ti-13Nb-13Zr and Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta were obtained via powder metallurgy. The Tibased alloys were biomimetically coated using a technique which was modified from the conventional ones using a sodium silicate solution as the nucleant agent. Both alloys presented similar behavior in the evaluated conditions which means the formation of a homogeneous and well defined HA coating. These results show that these new non-toxic Tialloys seem to be very promising for biomedical applications.