Mechanical properties and bioactive surface modification via alkali-heat treatment of a porous Ti-18Nb-4Sn alloy for biomedical applications

Acta Biomater. 2008 Nov;4(6):1963-8. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2008.04.022. Epub 2008 May 11.

Abstract

A porous Ti-18 at.%Nb-4 at.%Sn (hereafter, Ti-18Nb-4Sn) alloy was prepared by powder metallurgy. The porous structures were examined by scanning electron microscopy and the phase constituents were analysed by X-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties of the porous alloy were investigated using a compressive test. To enhance the bioactivity of the alloy surface, alkali-heat treatment was used to modify the surface. The bioactivity of the pre-treated alloy sample was investigated using a biomimetic process by soaking the sample into simulated body fluid (SBF). Results indicate that the elastic modulus and plateau stress of the porous Ti-18Nb-4Sn alloy decrease with decreasing relative density. The mechanical properties of the porous alloy can be tailored to match those of human bone. After soaking in SBF for 7 days, a hydroxyapatite layer formed on the surface of the pre-treated porous Ti-18Nb-4Sn alloy. The pre-treated porous Ti-18Nb-4Sn alloy therefore has the potential to be a bioactive implant material.

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Elasticity
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Models, Statistical
  • Niobium / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Properties
  • Tin / chemistry*
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Ti-18Nb-4Sn alloy
  • Niobium
  • Tin
  • Titanium