EFFECT OF SINTERING TIME ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE EVOLUTION OF TITANIUM-COPPER SINTERED ALLOY ( 1, 3, AND 5, WT% Cu) FOR IMPLANT APPLICATIONS

• Main Author: GINTING - Nim: 12514063 , ANDREANTA
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/25527
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

<p align="justify">In the 2017 the number of Indonesia’s implants needs reaching 100,000 pieces and is predicted to increase in the next year. The implants used must have good properties. Properties possessed by implants are biocompatible with the human body, corrosion-resistant, and strong. The titanium-copper alloy is now known to be suitable for applications as biomaterials, particularly as implants. Thanks to the biocompatible of titanium as well as the antibacterial properties of copper. Therefore, this study aims to observe the microstructure of Ti-Cu alloys, to see the hardness of the alloy, and the compressive strength of the alloy. The variations are at the sintering time and alloy composition. <br /> <br /> <br /> A series of experiments have been performed to study the effect of sintering time and alloying composition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-Cu alloy. At first the titanium powder and copper powder which has average size 44 µm were weighed according to the desired alloy composition of 1 wt% Cu, 3 wt% Cu, and 5 wt% Cu. After weighed powder samples then done mixing process for 1 hour. Thereafter compacting with compression force of 60 kN and formed two samples, one 10 mm in diameter and 3 mm in height for metallography test and 10 mm in diameter and 20 mm in height for compressive strength test. The samples next to be sintered with variations of time 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours using a tube furnace with argon atmosphere. The next step was sample being prepared for testing. Obtained data to be analyzed to determine the effect of each variation is done. <br /> <br /> <br /> It was found that the phases which present are &#945;-Ti and Ti2Cu phases formed the lamellar structure of the sample with sintering time of 2 and 4 hours. In samples with an 8-hour sintering time, Ti2Cu formed grain regardless of the &#945;-Ti matrix. Through the observation of microstructure obtained pores and grain size of each sample. The largest %pore area in the 1 wt% Cu sample with 2 hours sintering time is 14.39% while the largest grain size is in the 5 wt% Cu sample with sintering time is 49.64 &#956;m. The hardness increases as the %Cu increases and increases sintering time. The highest hardness value in 5wt% Cu sample, 8 hours that is equal to 481, 23 HV. The compressive test result is increased from 2 hours to 4 hours. But the decline occurred from the sample 4 hours to 8 hours. The highest compressive strength is in 3 wt% Cu sample with 4 hours sintering time is 2010 MPa. <p align="justify">