Manufacture of Titanium implants

Abstract Titanium is characterized by low density and excellent biocompatibility. Furthermore, Titanium based alloys feature a high strength. Due to this combination of properties Titanium and Titanium based alloys are increasingly used by medical technique. TiAl6V4 as an (α+β)‐alloy can only be formed substantially at high temperatures due to the limited deformation ability of the α‐phase. Titanium’s capability to dissolve several percent of oxygen causes difficulties at heat treatment and hot forming especially in thin dimensions. Alternative solutions and methods of resolution are being discussed. Based on a strip manufacturing process a cold rolled strip can be produced for specific applications. The process is mainly applicable to produce a cold rolled strip suitable for superplastic forming. For this purpose the superplastic forming was adapted to the new strip material. The cold rolled TiAl6V4‐strip exhibits a technically interesting area for superplastic forming. Formation of the microstructure and mechanical properties are being explained. On the basis of these results a first prototype shell of a pacemaker case was manufactured from the specific cold rolled TiAl6V4‐strip by superplastic forming. The results demonstrate the possibility to manufacture pacemaker cases with equable properties.