On the mechanical biocompatibility of Ti-15Zr-based alloys for potential use as load-bearing implants

摘要

This study evaluated the mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of recently developed Ti-15Zr-based alloys with Mo addition for potential use as load-bearing implants. The phase composition and microstructure were changed by the alloying elements, being the β phase fully retained on the Ti-15Zr-10Mo and Ti-15Zr-15Mo samples. The TEM analysis showed that a small quantity of ω phase was precipitated on the samples with a high amount of Mo. Regarding the mechanical properties, the Ti-15Zr-10Mo sample presented high mechanical strength and large elongation (854?±?63?MPa and 18.7?±?2.8 %). However, the Ti-15Zr-15Mo sample exhibited better mechanical compatibility, due to its combination of low Young’s modulus (75?±?1?GPa) and high Vickers microhardness (346?±?4?HV). Some dimple-type structures found along the fractured surface confirmed the ductile behavior of these samples. The MTT test indicated non-cytotoxic effects of all samples when in contact with osteoblastic cells (p?