The influence of Cu content on microstructure and mechanical properties of PM-fabricated Ti-18Nb-xCu alloy

  • Hüseyin Demirtaş Karabuk University
  • Rana Afif Anaee University of Technology, Materials Engineering Department
  • Muhamad Saad Faaik Karabuk University, Machinery and Metal Technologies Department

Abstract


This research investigated the influence of varying copper (Cu) concentrations (0, 5, 7, and 9 wt.%)on the sintering behaviour, microstructural development, and mechanical characteristics of Ti-18Nb alloy, fabricated through conventional powder metallurgy. Under specific sintering conditions (1150°C for 5 hours), Cu addition led to a more homogeneous microstructure and promoted the complete dissolution of Nb particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of alpha (α) and beta (β) Ti phases, along with the Ti2Cu phase, with its peak intensity increasing as Cu content rose. Mechanical properties were significantly enhanced by Cu addition. Yield strength increased almost linearly with Cu content. Compressive strength notably increased with 7 wt.% Cu, reaching 980 MPa, and slightly exceeded this value with 9 wt.% Cu. Hardness values increased due to solid solution strengthening in the α-Ti phase and the precipitation of the Ti2Cu phase, with the highest hardness (222 HV) observed in the 7 wt.% Cu alloy. The elastic modulus initially increased with 5 wt.% Cu, then subsequently decreased with further Cu additions; the Ti-18Nb-7Cu alloy exhibited the lowest elastic modulus at 13.34 GPa. Furthermore, the resilience of the alloys improved with the formation of the Ti2Cu phase, and a maximum value of 13.15 MJ m−3 was achieved.

Published
2025/12/31
How to Cite
Demirtaş, H., Anaee , R. A., & Faaik , M. S. (2025). The influence of Cu content on microstructure and mechanical properties of PM-fabricated Ti-18Nb-xCu alloy. Journal of Mining and Metallurgy, Section B: Metallurgy, 61(3), 345-355. Retrieved from https://aseestant.ceon.rs/index.php/jmm/article/view/53641
Issue
Vol. 61 No. 3 (2025)
Section
Original Scientific Paper

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