Corrosion and wear behavior of Ti–5Cu-xNb biomedical alloy in simulated body fluid for dental implant applications

Abstract

The present study examined the corrosion and tribological behavior of novel Ti–5Cu-xNb alloy synthesized via powder metallurgy as a new biomedical material in a simulated bodily fluid (SBF) solution. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study reveals the formation of two protective layers on the surface of alloys during the test. The alloys spontaneously produce a passivating oxide coating on their surfaces, and the breakdown potential (1.14–1.17 V) and re-passivation current density (2.07–3.04 μAcm−2) were observed during the potentiodynamic polarization test. The highest corrosion resistance was observed for the alloy Ti–5Cu–10Nb (icorr = 21.44 nA-cm−2). The SEM and XPS analysis of the corroded surface showed the formation of oxide on the surfaces of the alloys. The samples were tested at 10 N, 15 N, and 20 N loads against the zirconia counterpart to investigate the effect of loading on friction and wear. The lowest coefficient of friction was obtained for Ti–5Cu–5Nb (0.25–0.41) at 20 N loading, while the maximum for Ti–5Cu–10Nb at 15 N load falls in the range of (0.71–0.25). Additionally, they present the wear rate in the range of (5.3 × 10−8-1.45 × 10−6 mm3/mm), in accordance with the change in microstructure and mechanical properties. However, the wear rate increases with the addition of niobium and reaches the maximum for Ti–5Cu–15Nb at 20 N loading condition, but it is relatively deficient compared to commonly used implant material. Therefore, it is suggested that this β-type Ti–5Cu-xNb alloy is a promising candidate, more suitable than the commercially used Ti and Ti–6Al–4V for dental applications.