Ti–Nb alloys are attractive as biomaterials because of their excellent combination of low elastic modulus, high strength, corrosion resistance and enhanced biocompatibility. The effect of a post-sintering quenching treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of powder injection moulded Ti–17Nb has been investigated. Tensile test specimens were produced using a feedstock based on blended elemental powders, some of which were solution-treated in the β phase field and water quenched. Both as-sintered and quenched alloys had densities 95·5% of theoretical. The as-sintered material showed an α−β structure, whereas after quenching a fully martensitic α″ structure was obtained. The modulus of elasticity of the water-quenched alloy (∼45 GPa) was about 40% lower than that of the as-sintered alloy (∼76 GPa).
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