Abstract
Ti alloys are prone to corrosion and wear due to the hostile environment in bodily fluids, but the Ti-45Nb alloy is considered to be a promising titanium alloy with excellent biocompatibility and resistance to physiological corrosion. In this study, Nb ions were implanted into a TA3 alloy and the effect on the biological corrosion as well as tribocorrosion behavior of TA3 in Ringer’s solution was systematically investigated. The surface microstructure and XRD results revealed that the implanted samples showed a smoother surface due to the sputtering and radiation damages, and the Nb ions mainly existed in the alloy as the solid solution element. The electrochemical polarization tests showed that the implantation of Nb ions can increase the corrosion potential of the samples, showing a better thermodynamic stability. The tribocorrosion tests showed that the implanted samples exhibited a better thermodynamic stability in a corrosive environment accompanied by wear behavior, and the worn surface showed fewer pitting pits, indicating a better corrosion resistance. However, the abrasive wear and oxidation wear degree of the sample increased because of partial softening of the surface and brittle passivation film.
Highlights
Titanium and its alloys have been considered as some of the most suitable implants for the replacement and repair of human hard tissues because of their good corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and biocompatibility [1,2,3,4]
The surface morphology of TA3 implanted with Nb
Studies have suggested that some pits are formed on the surface due to the bombardment and cascade collisions caused by that some pits are formed on the surface due to the bombardment and cascade collisions caused by high-energy ion implantation [18,19]
Summary
Titanium and its alloys have been considered as some of the most suitable implants for the replacement and repair of human hard tissues because of their good corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and biocompatibility [1,2,3,4]. Among the various titanium alloys, Ti–6Al–4V and Ti–6Al–7Nb have been widely used owing to their good properties [3,5,6]. They are easy to dissolve and can undergo aseptic loosening in physiological environments due to the complex electrolyte environment in human bodily fluids, as well as the comprehensive action of active cells [2,5]. Yan et al [13] implanted Zr ions into a titanium surface and revealed that a Ti–Zr alloy layer on titanium exhibited good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The surface morphology, phase structure, mechanical properties, corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of the samples in Ringer’s solution were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), friction and wear instrument and nanoindentation instrument, combined with electrochemical measurements
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