| Abstract Scope |
This study seeks to advance the field of cardiovascular stent development, which currently yields products with superior mechanical properties but a deficit in biocompatibility. We propose novel metastable Ti alloys which demonstrate a promising combination of excellent biocompatibility and suitable mechanical attributes. These benefits are realized through the employment of TRIP (Transformation induced Plasticity) and TWIP (Twinning induced Plasticity) mechanisms, using non-toxic alloying elements. The need for high radiopacity—improving X-ray visibility, coupled with their relative beta stabilizing strengths, guides the selection of alloying elements. This approach led to set of designed Ti-Ta-Zr-Mo compositions with the potential of exhibiting TRIP/TWIP mechanisms near body temperature. These alloys were arc-melted, cold-rolled, and subjected to heat treatments. Using tensile tests, SEM, EBSD, and TEM, we thoroughly evaluated the alloy’s mechanical properties and conducted an in-depth microstructural analysis. Our findings revealed that the alloys indeed experienced TRIP and TWIP, driven by multiple-step martensitic transformation. |