Effect of phase conditions on tensile and antibacterial properties of Ti-Cu alloys with Ti2Cu intermetallic compound

In this study, the effect of phase conditions on the tensile behaviors of Ti-Cu alloys with Cu contents of 0, 10, 20, and 30 wt% is investigated by controlling the annealing temperature. An in-depth characterization of the alloy microstructure is performed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results suggest that the mechanical properties of the Ti-Cu alloys are strongly affected by the Cu content in α lath, which is dependent on the volume of Ti2Cu rather than Ti2Cu itself. A high volume of Ti2Cu reduces the Cu content in α lath, resulting in high elongation and low strength. Ti2Cu has superior antibacterial properties when compared with that of the Cu-supersaturated α lath. This study provides new insights into the design of Ti-Cu alloys for application as a biomaterial. •Ti-Cu alloys were used to study effect of phase condition on tensile behavior.•Cu content in α lath strongly influences the mechanical properties.•High Cu content in α lath increased the strength but decreased the ductility.•Equiaxed Ti2Cu + α lath is beneficial for high ductility and antibacterial ability.