Chemical, structural, microstructural, mechanical, and biological characterization of Ti-25Ta-xNb system alloys for biomedical applications

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 alpha and 13 phases, while those with 30 % and 40 % Nb consist solely of the 13 phase, highlighting the 13-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 alpha" 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 13 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.