Abstract
Ti6Al4V (Ti64) alloy is the most used metal material for bone implants because of its good biocompatibility and adapted mechanical properties. Nevertheless, it shows low antibacterial activity, which may favor its failure. Addition of antibacterial elements such as copper should avoid this drawback. This work studies the addition of Cu into a Ti64 matrix resulting in Ti64/xCu composites. Powder mixtures of Ti64/xCu were compacted in a die and then sintered at 1100 °C. Sintering kinetics indicate that densification is achieved by pore filling due to eutectic liquid formed by the reaction of Ti and Cu. The microstructure of the sintered samples is composed mainly of α-Ti and Ti2Cu phases, but TixCuy intermetallics were also found. Microhardness is increased by the addition of Cu due to densification and the formation of harder phases such as Ti2Cu. However, the stiffness and compression strength are barely the same for all composites. The corrosion resistance is significantly improved by the addition of Cu. Finally, the material with 15 wt% of copper showed the best compromise.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
