Preparation, microstructures, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility of TiMn alloys for biomedical applications

The titanium-manganese (TiMn) alloys have been extensively used in aerospace and hydrogen storage. In this study, the TiMn alloys with various manganese contents ranging from 2 to 12 wt % were prepared by using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques. The microstructures, mechanical properties including hardness, elastic modulus and ductility, cytotoxicity and cell proliferation properties of the TiMn alloys were investigated to explore their biomedical applications. The addition of manganese to the titanium reduced the alpha to beta transformation temperature and was confirmed as a beta stabilizer element. The manganese increased the relative density of the alloy and thus high density TiMn alloys with alpha+beta structure were prepared by using SPS at 700 degrees C. The hardness increased significantly ranging from 2.4 GPa (Ti2Mn) to 5.28 GPa (Ti12Mn) and the elastic modulus ranging from 83.3 GPa (Ti2Mn) to 122 GPa (Ti12Mn), the ductility decreased ranging from 21.3% (Ti2Mn) to 11.7% (Ti12Mn) with increasing manganese content in the Ti. Concentrations of Mn below 8 wt % in titanium reveal negligible effects on the metabolic activity and the cell proliferation of human osteoblasts. The Mn could be used in lower concentrations as an alloying element for biomedical titanium. The Ti2Mn, Ti5Mn, and Ti8Mn alloys with supervisor mechanical properties and acceptable cytocompatibility have a potential for use as bone substitutes and dental implants. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 948: 406-413, 2010.