Fabrication, characterization, and in vivo biocompatibility evaluation of titanium-niobium implants

In this study, biocompatible titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloys were fabricated by using powder metallurgy methods. Physical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical analyses were performed and their in vivo compatibility was evaluated. Besides alpha, beta, and alpha '' martensitic phases, alpha+beta Widmanstatten phase due to increasing sintering temperature was seen in the microstructure of the alloys. Phase transformation temperatures of the samples decreased as Nb content increased. The ratio of Nb in the samples affected their mechanical properties. No toxic effect was observed on implanted sites. This study shows that Ti-Nb alloys can be potentially used for orthopedic applications without any toxic effects.

Automated summary

Biocompatible titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloys were fabricated with powder metallurgy methods in this study. Physical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical analyses were conducted, and in vivo compatibility was evaluated. The microstructure of the alloys exhibited alpha, beta, alpha '' martensitic phases, and alpha+beta Widmanstatten phase with increasing sintering temperature. The phase transformation temperatures decreased with higher Nb content, and the mechanical properties of the samples were influenced by the ratio of Nb. No toxic effects were observed at the implanted sites, indicating the potential use of Ti-Nb alloys for orthopedic applications.