Metastable beta Ti-Nb-Zr-O system is studied as a material for orthopedic implants with low elastic modulus. Optimization of its composition is crucial, requiring preparation of many samples with different composition.
This material was prepared by blended elemental powder metallurgy using spark plasma sintering from 1300 to 1500 °C. Diffusion of alloying elements was of prime interest.
Nb exhibited non-homogeneous distribution, metastable beta phase was found to be stable down to 22 wt% of Nb.