In situ synthesized low modulus biomedical Zr-4Cu-xNb alloys

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2013 Dec 1;33(8):5105-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2013.07.038. Epub 2013 Aug 3.

Abstract

In order to develop new biomaterials for hard tissue replacements, the Zr-4Cu-xNb (x=0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9) biomedical alloys with required properties were designed and prepared using vacuum arc melting method for the first time. Phase analysis and microstructure observation showed that all the as-cast Zr-4Cu-xNb samples consisted of α-Zr and Zr3Cu. In addition, the lamellar eutectoid is found near the grain boundary. These alloys exhibited moderate compressive strength (1150-1300 MPa), yield stress (750-1000 MPa), favorable plastic strain (19%-27%), high elastic energy (11 MJ/m(3)-16 MJ/m(3)) and low Young's modulus (25GPa-31GPa). This good combination of mechanical properties indicates them potential biomedical materials for biological hard tissue replacements.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Hard tissue replacement; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Zr-4Cu-xNb alloys.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Compressive Strength
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Niobium / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Zirconium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Niobium
  • Copper
  • Zirconium