Nb-Ti-Zr alloys for orthopedic implants

Abstract

Niobium (Nb), Titanium (Ti), and Zirconium (Zr) have attracted much attention as implant materials due to it’s excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, little attention has been paid to high Nb-containing biomedical alloys. Here, the 50 wt.%Nb-XTi-Zr ternary alloy(x = 20wt.%, 30 wt.%, 40 wt.%) with relative density over 90% was prepared by powder metallurgy method. The massive α(Zr) distributed along the grain boundaries and lamellar β(Zr) appeared in the grains of β(Nb) in the 50 wt.%Nb-20wt.%Ti-Zr alloy. The acicular α phase is mainly distributed in the β-grain of 50 wt.%Nb-30wt.%Ti-Zr alloy. And α(Ti)-colonies in the β-grains and continuous α(Ti)GB at β-grain boundary can be observed in the 50 wt.%Nb-40wt.%Ti-Zr alloy. Comparing with Nb-20wt.%Ti-Zr alloy and 50 wt.%Nb-40wt.%Ti-Zr alloy, the 50 wt.%Nb-30wt.%Ti-Zr alloy showed lower Vickers hardness and elastic modulus. Furthermore, the as-sintered 50 wt.%Nb-XTi-Zr alloy promoted the cell proliferation and cell adhesion of MG-63 cells on the surface of alloys. In conclusion, the 50 wt.%Nb-XTi-Zr alloy combines excellent mechanical and biological properties, and the 50 wt.%Nb-30wt.%Ti-Zr alloy with lower elastic modulus (close to the bone) is a more promising candidate for bone implant material.

Biocompatibility and osseointegration properties of a novel high strength and low modulus β- Ti10Mo6Zr4Sn3Nb alloy

“…Therefore, many scholars have researched to exploit titanium-based materials with non-toxic and mechanical properties matching natural bone ( Bedouin et al, 2019 ; Shi et al, 2021 ). To achieve this goal, the effects of different β-stabilizers such as Ta, Zr, Mo, and Nb on the properties of tailored titanium alloys have attracted the great attention of researchers ( Mendes et al, 2016 ; Zhao et al, 2018 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). These β-stabilizers have good shape memory effects, superelasticity, and a low Young modulus in titanium alloys.…”

Green Synthesis and Biosafety Assessment of MXene

“…[44][45][46][47][48] Nb, as a candidate material for orthopedic implants, has also been widely used in orthopedic implant materials in recent years. [49][50][51][52][53] At present, Ti and Nb are the two most discussed elements in MXene biomaterials. [54,55] Ta and its alloys have been explored in a variety of cardiovascular, orthopedic, fracture fixation, dental, and spinal fusion implants.…”

Improvement of tribological properties of water‐based ZnO nanoparticles lubricant for zirconium alloy cold rolling by hydroxyethyl cellulose

“…), providing a good solution for medical implants. 7 At present, the commonly used Zr alloy processing method is the cold rolling.…”

“…In medical surgery, Zr alloys are often made into knee or hip implants, which can reduce friction and improve wear resistance while maintaining overall properties (manufacturability, fracture toughness, ductility, etc. ), providing a good solution for medical implants 7 . At present, the commonly used Zr alloy processing method is the cold rolling.…”