Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn alloy prepared by SPS

Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn alloys (wt%) were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of different sintering temperatures on the relative density, microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated. The results show that in the sintering temperature range from 1000°C to 1200°C, the alloys present a high relative density and compressive strength levels. The alloys mainly contain the mixed matrix consisting of β-Ti phase and the Ti-Nb solid solution, and some α-Ti phase. With the sintering temperatures increasing from 1000°C to 1200°C, the alloys exhibit a increasing trend for the relative density and the compressive strength. In the meantime, the transformation from α-Ti to β-Ti phase appears, and the size and amount of the Ti-Nb solid solution decrease. The compressive elastic modulus of the alloys is in the range of 58~61 GPa, and it is little affected by the sintering temperatures.