Corrosion performance of Ti-Cu alloys targeted for biomedical applications

  • N D E Masia Mintek
  • M Smit Mintek
  • I A Mwamba Mintek
  • L Fowler Uppsala University
  • L H Chown University of the Witwatersrand
  • S Norgren Uppsala University
  • C Öhman-Mägi Uppsala University
  • N Hashe Nelson Mandela University
  • L A Cornish University of the Witwatersrand

Abstract

The Thermo-Calc™ program and TTTI3 database were used to predict the phases in Ti-Cu with 5, 25, and 40 wt% Cu. Based on the predicted results, experimental work was conducted and the Ti-Cu alloys were produced in a button arc furnace, and characterised in the as-cast and the annealed condition (900°C) followed by water quenching. Microstructures and compositions were determined using an electron probe micro-analyser, and the phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. The corrosion performance was measured by potentiodynamic polarisation in a phosphate buffered saline solution at 37 °C at 7.4 pH while purging with nitrogen gas. The Ti-5Cu and Ti-25Cu alloys comprised (αTi) and Ti2Cu phases, the Ti-40Cu alloy comprised Ti2Cu and TiCu. Although the addition of copper decreased the corrosion performance by down to 75%, the corrosion rates were still within the acceptable range (0.02-0.13 mm/y) for biocompatibility of metallic implants. Annealing at 900 °C did not improve the corrosion performance.

Author Biographies

N D E Masia, Mintek

Advanced Materials Division, Mintek, Randburg 2125, and School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

M Smit, Mintek

Advanced Materials Division, Mintek, Randburg 2125, South Africa

I A Mwamba, Mintek

Advanced Materials Division, Mintek, Randburg 2125, South Africa

L Fowler, Uppsala University

Division of Applied Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751 21 Uppsala, Sweden

L H Chown, University of the Witwatersrand

School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

S Norgren, Uppsala University

Division of Applied Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751 21 Uppsala, Sweden

C Öhman-Mägi, Uppsala University

Division of Applied Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751 21 Uppsala, Sweden

N Hashe, Nelson Mandela University

Department of Physics, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), Port Elizabeth, South Africa

L A Cornish, University of the Witwatersrand

School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

Published
2022-01-25
How to Cite
Masia, N., Smit, M., Mwamba, I., Fowler, L., Chown, L., Norgren, S., Öhman-Mägi, C., Hashe, N., & Cornish, L. (2022). Corrosion performance of Ti-Cu alloys targeted for biomedical applications. Suid-Afrikaans Tydskrif Vir Natuurwetenskap En Tegnologie / <i>South African Journal of Science and Technology</I&gt;, 40(1), 244-250. Retrieved from http://satnt.co.za/index.php/satnt/article/view/911
Section
Conference of the South African Advanced Materials Initiative

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