Chemical, structural, microstructural, mechanical, and biological characterization of Ti–25Ta-xNb system alloys for biomedical applications
Fernanda de Freitas Quadros, Pedro Akira Bazaglia Kuroda, Willian Fernando Zambuzzi, Celio Junior da Costa Fernandes, F. M. Pontes, Carlos Roberto Grandini
Abstract
This study delves into the comprehensive characterization of the Ti–25Ta-xNb alloy system, whith a focus on its potential biomedical applications. Int intriguing insights into these alloys properties were unveiled through a systematic investigation encompassing EDS analysis, density measurements, chemical mapping, X-ray diffraction, microstructural examination, and microhardness assessments. The chemical composition results confirm that these alloys exhibit the appropriate stoichiometries, with the melting process yielding homogeneous compositions. Notably, the Ti–25Ta–10Nb and Ti–25Ta–20Nb alloys showcase the coexistence of α and β phases, while those with 30 % and 40 % Nb consist solely of the β phase, highlighting the β-stabilizing role of Nb and Ta. These results align seamlessly with X-ray diffractograms, Rietveld refinement data, and microstructural observations. The analysis further reveals a decrease in edges B and C of the α" structure, consistent with previous literature, indicating the alloys sensitivity to Nb additions. In terms of hardness, a discernible trend emerges with the stabilizing of the β phase, leading to reduced hardness values, as anticipated. Excitingly, not all alloys in the Ti–25Ta-xNb system exhibited cytotoxic effects, while they facilitated the crucial process of cell adhesion. This presents a promising prospect for their application in biomaterials. Among the developed alloys, the Ti–25Ta–30Nb alloy stands out due to its proximity to pure titanium in terms of hardness and its potential to promote cell proliferation.These findings underscore the potential of the Ti–25Ta-xNb alloy system for biomedical applications, provided that further studies optimize their suitability for such purposes.