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Microstructure and corrosion resistance of powder metallurgical Ti-Nb-Zr-Mg alloys with low modulus for biomedical application

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • G. Li
  • E. Shen
  • L. Liang
  • K. Li
  • Y. Lu
  • W. Zhu
  • Y. Tian
  • I. Baker
  • H. Wu
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Article number112223
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>31/10/2022
<mark>Journal</mark>Materials Characterization
Volume192
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date23/08/22
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Due to their bioinert nature, titanium alloys show poor bone-implant integration and insufficient osseointegration in vivo. In this study, a series of low elastic modulus bioactive titanium alloys with a nominal composition of Ti-13Nb-13Zr-1.25 Mg (wt%) were prepared using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering techniques. The microstructures, mechanical properties, degradation behaviors and in vitro bioactivities of these alloys were systematically investigated. After sintering at 700 °C, the α-Ti, β-Ti and Nb (Zr)-rich phases were present, and the Mg was uniformly distributed. In addition to above-mentioned phases, the α″ phase was found after sintering at 800 °C or 900 °C. The density, elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate compressive strength and corrosion resistance all increased with increasing sintering temperature. After sintering at 900 °C, the alloy exhibited high density (99.8%), good compressive strength (1417.2 MPa) and excellent corrosion resistance. In addition, it had a lower elastic modulus (~69 GPa) than that of the biomedical alloy Ti–13Nb–13Zr (~80 GPa). In vitro experiments showed that the alloys sintered at either 800 °C or 900 °C promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. However, the alloy sintered at 700 °C inhibited cell proliferation, which was due to the greater release of Mg 2+. Thus, the optimally-processed Ti-Nb-Zr-Mg alloy sintered at 900 °C shows immense potential as a biomedical material.