Ti-Nb-Sn-hydroxyapatite composites synthesized by mechanical alloying and high frequency induction heated sintering.

A β-type Ti-based composite, Ti-35Nb-2.5Sn-15-hydroxyapatite (HA), has been synthesized by mechanical alloying and powder metallurgy. The effects of milling time on microstructure, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the sintered composites were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tests, compression tests and cells culture. The results revealed when milling time increased, the homogeneity and relative density of the sintered composite increased, but the finished sintering temperature decreased. The compression Young's modulus of sintered composite from 12 h milled powders was about 22 GPa and its compression strength was 877 MPa. The cell culture results indicated cell viability for these sintered composites was very good. These results revealed the Ti-35Nb-2.5Sn-15HA composite could be useful for medical implants.