In vitro biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Ti-Zr-Nb-Ta-Pd and Ti-Sn-Nb-Ta-Pd alloys.

There is much discussion about the toxic effect of vanadium and aluminum contained in Ti-6Al-4V alloy for prosthetic implants. The goal of the present investigation was to develop new titanium alloys with sufficient mechanical properties using more biocompatible alloying elements: zirconium, tin, niobium, tantalum, and palladium. The relative growth rates of L929 and MC3T3-E1 cells were significantly higher when cultured with the extraction of Ti-10Zr-8Nb-2Ta-0.2Pd or Ti-15Zr-4Nb-2Ta-0.2Pd alloys than when cultured with the extraction of Ti-6Al-4AV ELI alloy. The tensile strength, elongation, and reduction of area for Ti-15Sn-4Nb-2Ta-0.2Pd alloy were 989 MPa, 14.4%, and 49.3%, respectively, surpassing Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy. (ASTM F138-84); those for Ti-15Zr-4Nb-2Ta-0.2Pd alloy were 725 MPa, 23.6% and 54.9%, respectively. More than 15% addition of tin as well as zirconium deteriorated the tensile properties. Titanium release into a 5% hydrochloric acid solution from the new titanium alloys was 20-50 micrograms/cm2 per day, though that from Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy was 1300 micrograms/cm2 per day. The optimum alloy compositions are Ti-15Zr-4Nb-2Ta-0.2Pd and Ti-15Sn-4Nb-2Ta-0.2Pd, judging from cytocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. The former is characterized by its higher level cytocompatibility and corrosion resistance, while the latter is characterized by mechanical properties.