New Titanium Alloys Potentially Used for Metal-Ceramic Applications in Medicine

Abstract

Titanium alloys corresponding to Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta system represent a new generation of biomaterials, which were developed for medical applications like metal-ceramic. They are composed of non-toxic and non-allergenic elements and have lower values of modulus of elasticity compared to that of the current biomaterials used in dentistry or orthopedics. In this paper are presented two new titanium alloys (Ti-21Nb-6Zr-15Ta and Ti-25Nb-10Zr-8Ta), which were characterized from structural aspect, mechanical and surface properties point of view using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, wear properties, Vickers microhardness measurement. Also, was tested the cytotoxicity of these alloys using direct contact method. The results showed that the investigated alloys have a biphasic structure composed of β-solid solution with intragranular lamellar structures specific to α”. The experimental results shown that new titanium alloys from the system Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta present much better properties compared to that of the metallic biomaterials used currently.