Synthesis of novel nanocrystalline titanium–magnesium alloy by using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering techniques

Abstract

Nanocrystalline Ti–xMg alloys were synthesized via mechanical alloying (MA) of titanium (Ti) and magnesium hydride (MgH 2 ) powders, followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). MgH 2 powder was used as the magnesium source at concentrations of 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis after mechanical alloying revealed the complete disappearance of MgH 2 peaks and the formation of a nanocrystalline Ti–Mg solid solution with a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure. The apparent densities and magnesium contents of the sintered alloys were measured, showing a decrease in apparent density by approximately 60 % and an increase in magnesium loss by about 50 % with increasing MgH 2 content. SEM microstructural observations and EDX analyses of the SPS samples revealed a homogeneous distribution of Mg within the Ti matrix, along with the precipitation of MgO along grain boundaries. The mechanical properties showed a reduction of about 58 % in microhardness and 51.27 % in Young's modulus with increasing Mg content. The Ti–xMg alloys exhibited good biocompatibility and demonstrate promising potential for orthopedic applications.