The study was performed to understand the impact of heat in plasma coating and ceramic firing of titanium (Ti) and titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) on their mechanical properties, and microstructure. Standard specimens were prepared to measure tensile strength before and after simulated heating cycles using Instron machine of model 4206 at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Yield strength, ultimate strength, and elongation were recorded. The microstructure was studied using an optical microscope. The mechanical properties, microstructure, and grain size remained the same as that of as-received samples at temperatures of 600 and 700 °C for both Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. At temperature 800 and 900 °C decrease in yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength with a change in microstructure was observed. The temperature of plasma coating and ceramic firing that Ti and Ti-6Al-4V metal substrates encounter during the fabrication of coated implants and metal-ceramic restorations do not affect the mechanical properties and microstructure. Above 800 °C, a significant change in mechanical properties and microstructure is observed.
Commercially pure Titanium (Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V is alloy (Ti-6Al-4) are the most suitable metallic materials for the application of medical/dental implants and metal-ceramic restorations because of their excellent biological, mechanical, and corrosion resistance properties [1–4].
Surface modification of metallic implants is done by various techniques to improve biocompatibility and bio-conductivity [5–11]. Plasma coating is one such technique used to coat bone-like material hydroxyapatite on Ti implants for primary adhesion and osseointegration [12–15]. Ceramic is widely used as the veneering material on Ti and Ti-6Al-4V for better esthetics [4,16–18].
Various studies have shown that heat treatment temperatures have different effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V [19,20]. During plasma coating and ceramic firing, the metals are subjected to a high-temperature environment [4,21,22]. It was therefore planned to study the effect of plasma flame and ceramic firing temperatures on the mechanical properties and microstructure of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V metal substrates.
2Materials and methods2.1Titanium and Ti-6Al-4VCommercially pure titanium (ASTM B 348 Gr. 1), hereafter called Ti 12 and Ti-6Al-4V (ASTM B 348 Gr. 5), hereafter called Ti 31 were obtained from Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd., Hyderabad, India in the form of rods 8 mm diameter. The microstructures of the as-received Ti 12 and Ti 31 samples are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively. Table 1 shows the chemical composition as obtained from the manufacturer.
2.2Heat treatmentIn the present study, the Ti 12 and Ti 31 grade alloys were subjected to annealing heat treatment at 600, 700, 800 and 900 °C in an electric furnace for 1 h followed by air-cooling. Samples were protected from oxidation by coating with borax and placing in an airtight container during annealing. Microstructures, as well as mechanical properties were studied after the heat treatment to understand the influence of heat on substrate metals during plasma coating and ceramic firing.
2.3Microstructural studiesThe sample surface was polished by initially grinding with successively finer emery papers and finally polished on a disc using lavigated alumina. After this, the samples were etched with Kroll's reagent (2% hydrofluoric acid + 8% nitric acid + 90% water) and viewed under an optical microscope.
2.4Grain size measurementGrain size in the present study was measured by the linear intercept method using Filar eyepiece attached to the optical microscope. A known linear length calculated for particular magnification was projected on the microstructure using Filar eyepiece. The number of grains intersected was counted for the known length. The grain size was determined in four different directions and repeated in ten different locations of the microstructure. The grains intersected each time were counted. The grain size was calculated by dividing the line length projected on the respective microstructure divided by the average of the number of grains intersected.
2.5Tensile testTensile test was performed using Instron machine of model 4206 at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The dimensions of the samples tested are shown in Fig. 3. Ultimate tensile strength, 0.2% offset yield strength, and percentage elongations were estimated from the load versus displacement plot. Five samples were tested for each treatment condition and the average values were reported.
3Results3.1Microstructural studyFigs. 4 and 5 present a set of microstructures of samples of commercially pure titanium (Ti 12) and Ti-6Al-4V (Ti 31) heated at different temperatures.
In the case of Ti 12 (Table 2) on annealing at 600 °C, no change in microstructure was observed. Alpha (α) grains were similar to those of as-received material with an average grain size of 35 microns. On annealing at 700 °C, initiation of grain growth with variation in the grain size was seen with an average grain size of 44 microns. At 800 °C, a considerable amount of grain coarsening was seen with grain size 58 microns. Extensive grain twinning was also seen (Fig. 4c). Annealing at 900 °C showed colonies of serrated bright etching α plates and particles of dark etching retained β (Fig. 4d). The microstructure was stable till temperature up to 700 °C (Figs. 4a, b).
Annealing of Ti 31 at 600, 700, and 800 °C showed fine dark-etching β phase in a matrix of bright-etching α (Fig. 5a–c). The microstructure remained the same as that of as-received material. On annealing, at 900 °C, the microstructure showed (Fig. 5d) coarser β phase as dark-etching inter-granular constituent between bright- etching α phases.
Table 2 represents the grain size of Ti 12. The grain size was found to increase with the increase in annealing temperature for Ti 12. Annealing at 600 °C showed the same average grain size like that of as-received material. At 800 °C, a considerable increase in grain size with twin formation was observed.
3.2Tensile testTypical stress-strain diagrams are presented in Figs. 6 and 7 for Ti 12 and Ti 31, respectively. Tables 3 and 4 shows the mechanical properties obtained. Ti 12 showed a significant reduction in the yield strength and tensile strength at 800 and 900 °C whereas Ti 31 showed reduction at 900 °C.
Mechanical properties of Ti 12.
Temp. | Y.S. (0.2%) kg/mm2 | UTS kg/mm2 | % EL | %RA |
---|---|---|---|---|
As-received | 32 ± 3.2 | 46 ± 2.1 | 31 ± 3.1 | 45 ± 4.1 |
600 °C | 31 ± 3.3 | 45 ± 2.3 | 34 ± 2.6 | 40 ± 4.2 |
700 °C | 31 ± 2.9 | 45 ± 2.5 | 29 ± 2.9 | 38 ± 3.8 |
800 °C | 25 ± 3.1 | 44 ± 1.9 | 31 ± 2.8 | 32 ± 3.2 |
900 °C | 20 ± 2.9 | 40 ± 2.3 | 29 ± 1.7 | 30 ± 3.4 |
F value | 15.9004 | 5.533 | 2.9569 | 13.085 |
P value | <0.001 | 0.0036 | 0.053 | <0.001 |
Post hoc tukey test | As received/600/700 vs 900 is significantly different | As received/600/700 vs 900 is significantly different | As received/600 and 800/900; 700 vs 900 significantly different |
Mechanical properties of Ti 31.
Temp. | Y.S. (0.2%) kg/mm2 | UTS kg/mm2 | % EL | %RA |
---|---|---|---|---|
As-received | 93 ± 6.1 | 103 ± 6.3 | 15 ± 2.3 | 40 ± 3.3 |
600 °C | 102 ± 5.8 | 106 ± 6.1 | 8 ± 1.8 | 35 ± 3.5 |
700 °C | 97 ± 4.6 | 102 ± 5.8 | 11 ± 2.2 | 30 ± 2.9 |
800 °C | 95 ± 4.4 | 96 ± 4.8 | 9 ± 2.3 | 28 ± 2.5 |
900 °C | 86 ± 5.2 | 94 ± 5.9 | 8 ± 1.9 | 20 ± 2.4 |
F value | 6.1954 | 3.7413 | 9.7665 | 32.598 |
P value | 0.0021 | 0.0198 | 0.0002 | <0.001 |
Posthoc Tukey test | 600/700 vs 900 significant | 600 vs 900 significant | As received vs 600/800/900 significant | As received vs 700/800/900, 600 vs 800, 600/700/800 vs 900 significant |
The response of titanium and titanium alloys to heat treatment depends on the composition of the metal and the effects of alloying elements on the structural transformation of titanium. It has been reported [4,21,22] that a temperature change of roughly 600–800 °C takes place in the substrate metal during plasma coating and ceramic firing. These temperature changes are likely to influence the microstructural and mechanical properties of the substrate metal [4].
During plasma coating, the temperature of plasma flame is estimated to be in the order of 10,000 °C. The suspended powder, softened by plasma flame, is propelled by the stream of ionized gas on to the substrate metal. The particles striking the substrate metal flattens to form thin platelets and adheres to the surface [2]. Previous investigations [21,22] have shown that the substrate on which coating is done may be raised to the temperature of the order 600 °C. This is primarily because of the short duration of exposure to a high temperature of plasma and also because of the rapid heat conduction. Similarly, the temperature of 600–700 °C is attained during the ceramic firing of metal-ceramic restorations [4]. Temperatures of this order are sufficient to bring about microstructural changes and consequently physical and mechanical changes in the substrate metal [4,21]. To check any possible changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of substrate metals Ti 12 and Ti 31, it was decided to perform heat treatment close to the average temperature the substrate metals attain during plasma coating and ceramic firing.
4.2Microstructural analysisOn occasions, it is necessary to examine the structural features of metals like grain and phase that influence the properties of materials. An optical microscopic examination is a handy tool in the study and characterization of materials. The microstructural analysis helps to find the association between properties and structure.
Fig. 4a, b shows the microstructures of samples annealed at 600 and 700 °C respectively. These microstructures are very similar to that of as-received material presented in Fig. 1. At a temperature of 800 °C, grain coarsening was observed together with twin formation (Fig. 4c). At the highest temperature of 900 °C, the presence of β phase was observed as shown in Fig. 4d. This is to be expected since the β transformation occurs at 882 °C [19,20]. Table 2 shows slight grain coarsening, which was observed as the temperature was raised to 700 and 800 °C. Considerable grain coarsening was observed at 900 °C. Since the material was heated above its β transformation temperature of 882 °C, the expected plate like α and inter-granular β was seen [19,20].
Ti 31 annealed at 600, 700, 800 °C showed similar microstructures as that of as received material (Fig. 2 and Fig. 5a–c). Fine dark-etching β phase can be observed in a matrix of bright-etching α phase. The actual practice of heat treatment varies with the alloy producer and user. To place the alloy in a soft, relatively machinable condition, the alloy is heated to about 700 °C in the lower range of α + β region, held for 1 h, then furnace cooled. This heat treatment, called mill annealing, produces a microstructure of globular crystals of β in α matrix [19,20]. A typical microstructure obtained is shown in Fig. 5b.
4.3Tensile strengthThe changes in the microstructure because of exposure to a higher temperature of annealing has led to a change in mechanical properties of Ti 12 and Ti 31 (Figs. 4–7). Table 3 illustrates that the mechanical properties were similar to those of the as-received material. However, at 700 and 800 °C because of the grain coarsening, a marginal decrease in yield strength and ultimate tensile strength was observed. At 900 °C, there was a considerable coarsening of the microstructure. Yield strength was observed to drop to 20 kg/mm2. Similarly, in the case of Ti 31 properties after annealing at 600, 700, and 800 °C were very similar to those of the as-received material. Grain twinning at 800 °C (Fig. 4c) and β precipitation at 900 °C (Fig. 4d) led to the decrease in mechanical properties of Ti 12. Similarly coarsening of α and β phases of Ti 31 at 900 °C was responsible for reduction in mechanical properties [19,20].
5ConclusionFrom the results of annealing treatment, one can conclude that the substrate metal will not undergo significant change in microstructure and mechanical properties during plasma coating and ceramic firing. However, Ti 12 undergoes significant change in mechanical properties at temperature of 800 °C compared to Ti 31, whereas significant change in mechanical and physical properties are observed at 900 °C for Ti 31.
Funding sourceThe authors did not receive any kind of funding in complete or partial for this study.
Declarations of interestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.