This Chapter is focused on the Ti-Nb-based shape memory alloys for biomedical applications; the principal objective being to understand interrelations between structure and transformation features, static and dynamic functional properties, and conditions of their thermomechanical treatment. This Chapter includes also preliminary study of the surface characteristics of Ti-Nb-based alloys, including their elemental and phase compositions, tribological characteristics, wettability, electrochemical behaviour, and in vitro biocompatibility. The results obtained make it possible to conclude that Ti-Nb-based shape memory alloys represent one of the strongest candidates for a new generation of load-bearing orthopaedic or dental implants with improved biocompatibility, since they combine high biomechanical compatibility of Ti-Ni shape memory alloys with excellent biochemical compatibility of pure titanium.
Abbreviations
AES -Auger electron spectroscopyA f (A s ) -Finishing (starting) temperature of the reverse martensitic transformation AG -Aging BCC -Body-centered cubic lattice CR -Cold rolling FCT -Face-centered tetragonal representation of BCC lattice HCP -Hexagonal close packed lattice LP(s) -Lattice parameter (parameters) M s -Starting temperature of the direct martensitic transformation NC -Nanocrystalline structure NS -Nanosubgrained structure OCP -Open circuit potential PDA -Post-deformation annealing RT -Room temperature SBF -Simulated body fluid SCM -X-ray strain-controlled temperature scanning experiment, with loading in the mixed parent (β) + thermally-induced martensite (α") phase state SCP -X-ray strain-controlled temperature scanning experiment, with loading in the parent β phase state SE -Superelasticity SF -X-ray strain-free temperature scanning experiment