Institution: University College London
Investigators: Mr Bhairav Patel, Professor Mohan Edirisinghe
Stream: PhD
Topic: Biomaterials
Status: Live
The overall aim of this study is to carry out a comprehensive investigation in order to uncover the relationship between the grain structure and mechanical properties of the Cobalt based metallic alloys. The effect of heat treatment temperature on this relationship will be systemically investigated taking cognizance of the fact that carbide formation in these alloys is an important factor.
CoCrMo alloys are prone to segregation, which can occur by the evolution of carbide banding. Carbides are Cr and Mo rich particles. When Cr and Mo are taken up in this way, they are no longer available to fight corrosion or provide strength in the alloy. It is best not to have any carbide; however, if they are present, they should be randomly dispersed so that they cannot result in localised weakness in the material. The cast-wrought alloy can develop a banded carbide precipitate, while the powder-metallurgy gives rise to a more-uniformly dispersed carbide precipitate, however, these are speculations and systemic microstructure investigations are needed to uncover reproducible trends.
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