The researchers reportedly made the alloy by incorporating oxygen and iron, which are the two most powerful stabilising elements and strengtheners for α–β phase titanium alloys.
Compared with Ti-6AI-4V, the new titanium alloy demonstrates better mechanical performance, with comparable ductility and considerably higher strength, according to the university.
It could be used for a variety of applications, including aerospace, marine engineering, consumer electronics and biomedical devices.
“This work can serve as a model or benchmark for other metal alloys that use 3D printing to enhance their properties and expand their applicability,” said Professor Keith K C Chan, Professor of Manufacturing Engineering at the university and a co-author of the study, which was published in Nature.
The work was carried out in collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University and the University of Sydney, Australia.
