This study produced non-equiatomic TiNbZrTaMn and TiNbZrTaMo high entropy alloy (HEAs) by argon arc-melting and heat-treated for microstructural homogenization. The phase composition, microstructure, and selected mechanical properties were measured and compared with theoretical predictions. Additionally, electrochemical and cytotoxicity tests evaluated their potential applicability for use as biomaterials. X-ray diffraction measurements patterns showed a single BCC phase for the TiNbZrTaMn and a secondary HCP phase for the TiNbZrTaMo sample. The microstructural analysis revealed the formation of irregular grain boundaries and some lamellae formation, with chemical segregation of the alloying elements at the sub-micro-scale. The samples exhibited elastic modulus (80–110 GPa) closer to CP-Ti grade 2 (100 GPa) and higher Vickers microhardness (450–550 HV) than Ti–6Al–4V alloy (400 HV). The electrochemical and biological tests indicated a superior corrosion resistance against 0.9% NaCl solution compared with commercial metallic biomaterials, with proper cell adhesion and viability of pre-osteoblastic cells and hydrophilic behavior. Altogether, the data indicate that TiNbZrTaMn depicts better applicability potential for being used as a biomaterial in biomedical applications than some commercial materials (SS 316L, CP-Ti grade 2, and Ti–6Al–4V), mainly considering load-bearing orthopedical implants.
Titanium (Ti) is employed as a biomaterial because of its superior biocompatibility and favorable mechanical properties that can be changed with the addition of alloying elements, such as zirconium and molybdenum. Silver is an alloying element recognized for its antibacterial action, which can improve the mechanical strength and decrease Young’s modulus of Ti. This work studies the effect of silver addition (1 and 3 wt%) on the crystalline structure, microstructure, Vickers microhardness and Young’s modulus of Ti-15Zr-15Mo (wt%) alloy, targeting for a potential application as a biofunctional material. The ingots were produced by argon arc melting and subsequently subjected to a heat treatment of homogenization, hot-rolling and solubilization heat treatment. Chemical composition indicated good quality on the processing of the alloy. Crystalline structure and microstructure analyzed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed only titanium’s β phase. Finally, mechanical properties studied by Vickers microhardness and Young’s modulus measurements presented that the addition of low content of silver did not significantly modify the alloy’s mechanical properties, but it can include antibacterial properties on the bulk.
Single-axis knee prosthesis is an artificial biomechanical device that provides motion to amputees without the need for assistance appliances. Besides it is mainly composed of metallic materials, the current commercial materials did not group adequate properties for long-term usage or accessible cost. This study produced and characterized Ti-(10 −x)Al-xV (x = 0, 2, and 4 wt.%) alloys for potential use as single-axis knee prostheses. The samples exhibited a gradual decrease in the density values, with proper chemical mixing of the alloying elements on the micro-scale. The phase composition exhibited a primary α phase with a minor α′ + β phase for the Ti-8Al-2V and Ti-6Al-4V samples. Due to their different atomic radius compared to Ti, the addition of alloying elements changed the cell parameters. Their selected mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, Vickers microhardness, and damping factor) performed better values than the CP-Ti grade 4. The samples also exhibited good corrosion properties against the simulated marine solution. The tribocorrosion resistance of the samples was better than the reference material, with the wear tracks composed of some tribolayers and grooves resulting from adhesive and abrasive wear. The Ti-10Al alloy displayed the best properties and estimated low cost to be used as single-axis knee prostheses.
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