Improvement of Mechanical Properties by Microstructural Evolution of Biomedical Co–Cr–W–Ni Alloys with the Addition of Mn and Si

Abstract

We investigated changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of biomedical Co–20Cr–15W–10Ni alloys (mass%) containing 8 mass% Mn and 0–3 mass% Si due to hot forging, solution treatment, cold swaging, and static recrystallization. The η-phase (M₆X–M₁₂X type cubic structure, M: metallic elements, X: C and/or N, space group: Fd-3m (227)) and CoWSi type Laves phase (C14 MgZn₂ type hexagonal structure, space group: P63/mmc (194)) were confirmed as precipitates in the as-cast and as-forged alloys. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that reveals the formation of CoWSi type Laves phase precipitates in Co–Cr–W–Ni-based alloys. The addition of Si promoted the formation of precipitates of both η-phase and CoWSi type Laves phase. The solution-treated 8Mn+(0, 1)Si-added alloys exhibited TWIP-like plastic deformation behavior with an increasing work-hardening rate during the early to middle stages of plastic deformation. This plastic deformation behavior is effective in achieving both the low yield stress and high strength required to develop a high-performance balloon-expandable stent. The 8Mn+2Si-added alloy retained the CoWSi type Laves phase even after solution treatment, such that the ductility decreased but the strength improved. Additions of Mn and Si are effective in improving the ductility and strength of the Co–Cr–W–Ni alloy, respectively.