Improved mechanical properties of the new Ti-15Ta-xZr alloys fabricated by selective laser melting for biomedical application

In this study, we have developed new biocompatible Ti-15Ta-xZr (1.5, 5.5, 10.5 and15.5 wt%) alloys fabricated by selective laser melting. The SLM process inputs a mixture of 65% argon and 35% nitrogen to prevent oxidation and degradation of the alloys followed by appropriate post heat-treatment to improve the chemical homogeneity at high-temperatures. The microanalysis reveals that the microstructures of the Ti-15Ta-xZr alloys changed from a phase into b phase and finally became alpha + beta stable. The Photomicrograph of the alloy mini-plate osteosynthesis in the rat's tibia fracture reveals that the Ti-15Ta-10.5Zr alloy can enhance bone remodeling with no sign of osteomyelitis because it has the appropriate Young's modulus value of 42.93 +/- 3.28 GPa which is similar to that of the human cortical bone. Consequently, the Ti-15Ta-10.5Zr alloy proved to be the best combination of yield strength, tensile strength, and biological properties, making it a viable candidate for use in artificial hip joints, bone implants, etc. (C) 2016 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.