Optimization of compacting process for Porous Ti-6Al7Nb alloys with Magnesium as a space holder by using Taguchi Method

Abstract

The optimization of compacting process for porous titanium niobium (Ti-6Al-7Nb) alloys with magnesium as a space holder prepared by powder metallurgy process was studied to analyze the significant porosity required in biomedical industry especially in bone tissue engineering. This approach helps to replace the damaged bones and solve the problem occurs during the implantation for artificial joints which is important that the implant material's stiffness is as similar to the joint bone as possible. The aim was to determine the significant factors affecting the physical and mechanical properties performance of porous Ti-6Al-7Nb alloys such as density and strength. Firstly, the Ti-6Al-7Nb were mixed with magnesium with weight percentage of 20%, 30%, and 40% as a spacer material for 30 minutes using Fritsch Pulverisette Mill mixer machine. Then, for compacting process, pressure in the range of 400MPa, 500 MPa and 600MPa were applied to the powder mixtures in a 13 mm cylindrical die by using manual hydraulic hand press machine. Compacting parameters have been optimized using Taguchi method of L-9 (3 4) orthogonal array. From the ANOVA results, density shows that holding time played as the most effected significant factor with 37.77% and compression was 59.47% for composition sample. The study demonstrated that many factors has been successfully optimized simultaneously, and a lot of quantitative information can be extracted from fewer experimental trials by using Taguchi method in compacting process.