Development of high Zr-containing Ti-based alloys with low Young's modulus for use in removable implants

This research focuses on the development of new titanium (Ti) alloys with a low Young's modulus for use in removable implants. In this study, Ti-30Zr alloy was selected as the base alloy, and the effect of Mo addition on the microstructures, Young's moduli, and tensile properties of Ti-30Zr-(0–8 wt.% Mo) alloys was investigated in this study to assess the mechanical compatibility of these alloys for biomedical applications. Further, the cytocompatibility of a part of the designed alloys was examined. The experimental results indicate that both the microstructures and the mechanical properties of the designed alloys are strongly affected by the Mo contents. The Ti-30Zr-(6, 7 wt.%) Mo alloys, located near the boundary of (β + ω)/β with a metastable structure, show a good combination of a low Young's modulus, high tensile strength, fairly large elongation. In addition, Ti–30Zr–7Mo alloy is highly cytocompatible.

► Develop new titanium alloys with low Young's modulus for removable implants.
► Microstructures and mechanical properties are strongly affected by the Mo contents.
► Ti-30Zr-(6, 7 wt.%) Mo alloys show a good combination of mechanical properties.
► Ti–30Zr–7Mo alloy is highly cytocompatible.