Novel NiZr-based porous biomaterials: Synthesis and in vitro testing

Novel porous NiZr-based potential biomaterials for orthopaedic application were developed using the combustion reaction in the Ni + Zr + additive mixtures. The effect of various additives (ZrH2, CaCO3, NH4F and Teflon) on the combustion behaviour in the low-caloric Ni + Zr mixtures was investigated. To obtain molten porous NiZr-based product Teflon was chosen as an optimal additive. Combustion conditions of the Ni + Zr + Teflon mixtures depending on various factors were investigated. NiZr-based materials with 55–65% porosity and 50–550 μm pore sizes were obtained. The cyto- and genotoxicity of the materials was tested in vitro using HeLa and KCL-22 cell lines. After several extractions the obtained porous materials expressed no toxicity. Produced materials were non-genotoxic and had no effect on the cell proliferation.