Development of Ti-15Zr-Mo alloys for applying as implantable biomedical devices

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2018-06, Vol.749, p.163-171
• Main Authors: Correa, D.R.N., Kuroda, P.A.B., Lourenço, M.L., Fernandes, C.J.C., Buzalaf, M.A.R., Zambuzzi, W.F., Grandini, C.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Alloy development; Alloying elements; Arc heating; Beta phase; Biocompatibility; Biomaterial; Biomedical materials; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Diamond pyramid hardness; Electric arc melting; Heat treating; Heat treatment; Hot rolling; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Modulus of elasticity; Molybdenum; Precipitation hardening; Solid solutions; Solution strengthening; Surgical implants; Titanium alloys; Titanium base alloys; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.03.308

In this study, the effect of molybdenum content in Ti-15Zr-based alloys (wt%) was analyzed in terms of crystalline structure, microstructure, selected mechanical properties, and cytotoxicity. The samples were produced by argon arc-melting followed by hot rolling and heat treatment processes. The crystalline structure and microstructure were dependent of both alloying elements (zirconium and molybdenum). Ti-15Zr alloy displayed only laths of α′ phase, while the alloys up to Ti-15Zr-10Mo exhibited different proportions of α′, α”, and β phases. Molybdenum content higher than 12.5 wt% fully stabilized the β phase. Vickers microhardness values of Ti-15Zr-Mo alloys were higher than those of CP-Ti due to solid solution and phase precipitation strengthening. Young’s modulus values of Ti-15Zr-Mo alloys were lower than those of CP-Ti due to β phase stabilization. Cytotoxicity levels of Ti-15Zr-Mo alloys were within a tolerable range for biomedical purposes. In addition, we observed molybdenum content in Ti-15Zr-based alloys promoted an increase on pre-osteoblast adhesion up to 3 h of adhesion’s time. Thus, Ti-15Zr-15Mo alloy presented better combination of properties than some traditional metallic biomaterials. [Display omitted] •Novel Ti-15Zr-Mo-based alloys were developed for implantable biomedical devices.•Phase composition changed with the increase of Mo content, from α′, α”and ω to β phase.•Vickers microhardness and Young’s modulus were altered with the phase composition and Mo content.•Osteoblastic adhesion and level of cytotoxicity remained tolerable values along the studied Mo contents.•Ti-15Zr-15Mo presented better combination of properties than some biomaterials.