Ti-based alloys are an important class of materials suitable especially for medical applications, but they are also used in the industrial sector. Due to their low tribological properties it is necessary to find optimal technologies and alloying elements in order to develop new alloys with improved properties. In this paper, a study on the influence of sintering treatments on the final properties of a titanium alloy is presented. The alloy of interest was obtained using the powders in following weight ratio: 80% wt Ti, 8% wt Mn, 3% wt Sn, 6% wt Aluminix123, 2% wt Zr and 1% wt graphite. Two sintering methods were used, namely two-step sintering (TSS) and multiple-step sintering (MSS), as alternatives to conventional sintering which uses a single sintering dwell time. Evolution of sample morphology, composition and crystalline structure with sintering method was evidenced. The lower values for the friction coefficient and for the wear rate was attained in the case of the sample obtained by TSS.

The purpose of this study is to develop computational mathematical models for virtual prototyping of an actuation system from an exoskeleton human knee joint. These models are a part of the virtual and experimental prototype of a mechatronic system for locomotion rehabilitation in case of disabled persons. Experimental tests were performed on a group of persons without locomotion deficiencies. The obtained database was used to develop geometrical kinematic synthesis of the exoskeleton actuation mechanisms for knee’s joint and also ankle.