New Co-Cr-Mo-Nb-Cu alloy for implant applications: Properties characterization

Abstract

In this research, a novel antibacterial alloy was fabricated through the addition of Cu and Nb to the conventional Co-Cr-Mo (CCM) alloy. Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding was utilized to add Cu and Nb to the CCM alloy by surface re-melting. The microstructural investigations revealed that the addition of Cu and Nb to the CCM alloy resulted in significant changes. It was also concluded that the addition of Nb up to the optimum value of 0.2 wt%Nb increased the wear resistance, however, no significant effect was observed on corrosion resistance. Moreover, it has been found that the optimum alloy showed higher charge transfer resistance (Rct) in SBF solution and also better protein adsorption. In addition, it was concluded that the modification of the CCM alloy with 4.5%wt Cu and 0.2 wt%Nb led to a decrease in the Co concentration released in SBF solution, and boosted the antibacterial property of the CCM alloy.