The influence of heat treatment and role of boron on sliding wear behaviour of ββ-type Ti–35Nb–7.2Zr–5.7Ta alloy in dry condition and in simulated body fluids

The wear behaviour of heat-treated Ti–35Nb–7.2Zr–5.7Ta (TNZT) and Ti–35Nb–7.2Zr–5.7Ta-0.5B (TNZTB) alloys (all compositions are in wt%) was investigated in dry condition and in simulated body fluids. It has been found that there is no straightforward relationship between the wear rate and the microstructure. The hardness has no appreciable effect on the wear behaviour of these alloys. The presence of boron in the TNZT alloy deteriorates its wear properties. The wear rate of TNZT and TNZTB alloys in various media increases in the following sequence: dry condition << Hank’s solution << bovine serum.