Effect of Ag content on the microstructure and antibacterial activity of biomedical titanium alloy Ti-13Nb-13Zr-xAg (x = 7,10 wt%)

Abstract

Titanium alloys with good antibacterial properties and low elastic modulus have great potentials for biomedical application. Ti-13Nb-13Zr-xAg(x = 7,10) alloys were prepared to reveal the influence of Ag content on the microstructure, corrosion resistance, elastic modulus and antibacterial property. The results have shown that the decrease in the Ag content promoted the precipitation of Ti2Ag phase, thereby improving the antibacterial properties and reducing the elastic modulus of the material. Ti-13Nb-13Zr-10Ag achieved the high corrosion resistance, good antibacterial properties and low elastic modulus.