The Effect of Niobium Content on the Hardness and Elastic Modulus of Heat-Treated Ti-10Mo-Xnb Alloys

This study has investigated the niobium (Nb) additions effect on both microstructure and heat-treated Ti-10Mo-xNb (x = 3, 6 and 9) alloys mechanical properties. The microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical characterization was carried out by Vickers microhardness test and Young's modulus measurements. The outcomes show that the addition of Nb in alloys decreased the proportion of omega and alpha' phases. The Ti-10Mo-3Nb alloy presented the best hardness and elastic modulus combination among the three developed alloys and also with respect to Ti-6Al-4V alloy and commercially pure Ti.