This thesis investigates superelasticity in metastable beta titanium alloys that contain substantial
additions of Mo, principally. Superelasticity arises from a reversible transformation from the to the
orthorhombic alpha double prime ( 00) phase during loading, which was studied principally using in
situ synchrotron X-ray di raction at the I12 beamline at the Diamond synchrotron.
Superelastic -Ti alloys have the potential to be low weight, economical alternatives to NiTi, Gum
metal and Ti-2448 for biomedical, military and aerospace applications. The cubic to orthorhombic
stress induced martensitic phase transformation is reversible but has an associated permanent defor-
mation. Reducing the permanent deformation associated with cyclic strain is key to the commercial
use of these alloys. The e ect of stability on the SE recovery of Ti-Mo, Ti-Mo-Al and Ti-Mo-O
alloys has been investigated. Superelastic behaviour was recreated using cyclic strain whilst being
examined under in-situ synchrotron X-ray di raction. Study of the superelastic phase transformation
was carried out in-situ due to the reversible nature of the transformation causing the superelastic
phase to largely disappear upon unloading. The superelastic behaviour is shown to be sensitive to
stability and in turn composition and temperature. The addition of aluminium and oxygen can be
used to enhance both superelastic recovery and strength.
The alloys were designed using Morinaga's orbital design approach combined with Laheurte's
average valence electron values, tailoring the bond order (Bo) and electronegativity (Md) in order
to alter the method of deformation and phase stability. The third alloy design factors considered
concern the e ect of alloying on the C0 modulus of the , the ! stability and martensite transformation
temperatures. Together these methods, whilst semi-empirical, provide a rational basis for alloy design.
Both the lowered sti ness and lower apparent sti ness associated with the design method and the
transformation respectively could lead to lowering the sti ness of beta Ti alloys towards that of cortical
bone. This would reduce the sti ness mismatch that promotes bone re-absorption around surgical
implants, reducing the need for implant replacements. Also, the recent developments in eradicating
the residual strain associated with the transformation has led to interest from the aerospace industry
for possible (high temperature) damping applications.
The Ti-Mo binary mechanical curves show a correlation between the apparent yield stress and
composition. An increase in Mo concentration from 7.2 at.% was shown to decrease the yield stress
to a minimum at 8.2 at.% Mo, after which the yield stress increased. Out of the 5 binary samples,
Ti-8.7Mo at.% showed the best superelastic recovery with a recovery of 1.58% strain for a total
strain of 2.3%. The yield stress minima is indicative of the composition at which Ms is closest to
room temperature. Ti-8.2Mo at.% has the lowest apparent yield stress and Ti-8.7Mo at.% has the
largest SE recovery; this correlates well with the theory that the best superelastic behaviour should
be observed for an alloy whose composition places it just above As at room temperature.
Al additions, which promote the phase, were found to signi cantly improve the superelastic
behaviour. Al also acts to suppress the ! phase. The ternary alloy Ti-8.1Mo-5Al at.% showed a
95% strain recovery from a total strain of 1.6% at room temperature. Oxygen behaved as a solution
strengthener increasing the yield stress and the associated elastic recovery without impeding the
austenitic strain recovery transformation. The addition therefore improved both the apparent yield
stress and the SE recovery.