Titanium-gold is three times harder than steel

Credit: Francais Express

Professor Emilia Morosan, of the physics departmen at Rice University, discovered the extraordinary hardness of this titanium-gold alloy, largely by accident. She was testing the alloy for its magnetic properties. Part of the testing required that the alloy sample be ground into a fine powder – which proved to be impossible.

Titanium & gold are both unusually well tolerated by the body (biocompatible), which makes them suitable for implants. This new alloy appears to be even more biocompatible. Combined with its extreme hardness, it is likely to be ideal for applications such as hip replacements.

Gizmag
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Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/25/extra-strong-titanium-gold-alloy/ / chance discovery physics lab Rice University ultra-hard material titanium knee hip replacements scientists melting gold titanium mix non-toxic metal four times harder than titanium more durable longer lasting medical implants Professor Emilia Morosan professor physics Rice University experiments magnetic material nonmagnetic elements titanium-gold mix one-to-one ratio team's process developing new compounds grind it up into powder X-rayed X-ray identify composition structure purity grind up titanium-gold diamond-coated mortar and pestle grind it up series of tests hard compound alloy titanium-gold compounds alloy three parts titanium to one part gold formed at high temperature preparing compound high temperatures creates purely crystalline form beta version alloy four times hardness of titanium researchers compound impressive properties high temperature cooked material prepared at lower temperatures atoms arrange themselves cubic structure alpha form titanium-3-gold hardness similar regular titanium assessed hardness materials alpha arrangement of atoms Beta titanium-3 gold three four times harder steel four times harder than pure titanium currently being used dental implants replacement joints researchers material use medical implants titanium and gold more biocompatible materials testing showed titanium-3-gold more biocompatible wear-resistant pure titanium team exploring treating with chemicals even harder /