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. 2020 Feb;7(1):119-127.
doi: 10.1093/rb/rbz042. Epub 2019 Nov 28.

Mechanical and biological properties of Ti-(0-25 wt%)Nb alloys for biomedical implants application

Yuqing Zhang  1   2   3 , Danni Sun  1   2 , Jun Cheng  4 , James Kit Hon Tsoi  3 , Jiang Chen  1   2
Affiliations

Mechanical and biological properties of Ti-(0-25 wt%)Nb alloys for biomedical implants application

Yuqing Zhang et al. Regen Biomater. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Binary titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloys have recently been attracted due to low Young's moduli and non-toxic properties. This study explores the influence of low Nb content (0-25 wt%) on the comprehensive parameters of tensile stress-strain relationships (ultimate strength (σUTS), yield strength (σ0.2) and elastic modulus (E)), surfaces properties (Vickers microhardness, surface roughness (R a), water contact angle (WCA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), corrosion resistance (in artificial saliva and lactic acid) and biological properties (cytotoxicity and alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts) of Ti-xNb alloys (x = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%), with using commercially pure grade 2 titanium (cp-Ti) as control. XRD results shown that all the Ti-xNb alloys comprised α + β Ti alloy phases, such that the β phase increased correspondingly with the increased amount of Nb in the alloy, as well as the reduction of E (69-87 GPa). Except Ti-5Nb, all other Ti-xNb alloys showed a significantly higher hardness, increased σUTS and σ0.2, and decreased WCA compared with cp-Ti. No corrosion was detected on Ti-xNb alloys and cp-Ti in artificial saliva and lactic acid solutions. The cytotoxicity of Ti-xNb alloys was comparable to that of cp-Ti in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts without interference from differentiation behaviour, but the proliferation rate of the Ti-5Nb alloy was lower than other groups. In overall, binary Ti-(10-25 wt%)Nb alloys are promising candidate for orthopaedic and dental implants due to their improved mechanical properties and comparable biological performance, while Ti-5Nb should be used with caution.

Keywords: binary titanium alloys; biocompatibility; biomaterial; low Young’s modulus; titanium–niobium.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
XRD spectra of Ti–xNb alloys (x = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%) and cp-Ti. The hexagonal α phase and cubic β phase are marked as bullets and club symbols, respectively
Figure 2
Figure 2
Stress–strain curves and the mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength (σUTS), yield strength (σ0.2) and elastic modulus (E)) of Ti–Nb alloys and cp-Ti
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sessile water drop measurement of (a) Ti–5Nb; (b) Ti–10Nb; (c) Ti–15Nb; (d) Ti–20Nb; (e) Ti–25Nb; (f) cp-Ti
Figure 4
Figure 4
SEM topography of Ti-alloys and cp-Ti before (a–c, g–i) and after (d–f, j–l) treatment in the acid corrosive solution
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Concentration of LDH at 24 h and (b) proliferation assay of MC3T3-E1 at 24, 96 and 128 h. The result was expressed as the ratio versus cp-Ti (%)
Figure 6
Figure 6
The ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 at 7, 14 and 21 days.
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