Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy with improved corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties for orthopedic and dental applications produced by mechanical alloying

M A Hussein; A Madhan Kumar; M A Azeem; A A Sorour; S Saravanan

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105851

Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy with improved corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties for orthopedic and dental applications produced by mechanical alloying

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2023 Jun:142:105851. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105851. Epub 2023 Apr 13.

Authors

M A Hussein¹, A Madhan Kumar², M A Azeem³, A A Sorour⁴, S Saravanan⁵

Affiliations

¹ Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: mahussein@kfupm.edu.sa.
² Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals(KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals(KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Bioengineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia.

PMID: 37068434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105851

Abstract

Titanium alloys have gained popularity as a bioimplant material due to their biocompatibility, low modulus of elasticity, and increased strength. However, other issues, such as corrosion resistance, and infections can reduce the implant's lifespan. This paper aims to fabricate a new Ti-30Nb-3Ag at% alloy with enhanced in vitro corrosion and antibacterial properties by mechanical alloying (MA) followed by powder consolidation. XRD, SEM/EDX, and Vickers microhardness analyses were used to examine the phases compositions, microstructure, and microhardness, respectively. The in vitro corrosion performance of Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy was inspected in a simulated body medium and artificial saliva. The alloy's antibacterial properties were evaluated in the gram-positive and negative bacterial medium. The results showed that after MA for 60 h, nanocrystalline β-Ti (BCC) and α-Ti (HCP) solid solutions were formed with crystallite sizes of 7.44 and 3.47 nm, respectively. The sintered sample exhibited densifications of 97%, with a microstructure composed of β-Ti, α-Ti, and a minor quantity of ultrafine Ti₂Ag phase. The microhardness result showed that Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy possesses HV 491.5. Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy has a potent antibacterial capability of 85.75% and 88.81% relative to Ti-6Al-4V alloy and CP-Ti, respectively. In vitro corrosion results revealed that the Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy exhibited the widespread passive area in the investigated anodic regions and presented the highest impedance values in comparison with the commercial alloys, confirming its improved corrosion resistance performance in both studied mediums. Ti-30Nb-3Ag alloy possibly be a competitive bioimplant material for orthopedic and dental uses owing to its enhanced biocorrosion and antibacterial properties compared to commercial Ti-6Al-4V alloy and CP-Ti.

Keywords: Antibacterial titanium alloy; Bioimplant; Corrosion; Powder metallurgy; Titanium alloy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alloys* / chemistry
Alloys* / pharmacology
Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Corrosion
Materials Testing
Surface Properties
Titanium* / chemistry
Titanium* / pharmacology

Substances

titanium alloy (TiAl6V4)
Titanium
Alloys
Anti-Bacterial Agents