Biocompatibility of β-stabilizing elements of titanium alloys

In comparison to the presently used α+β titanium alloys for biomedical applications, β-titanium alloys have many advantageous mechanical properties, such as an improved wear resistance, a high elasticity and an excellent cold and hot formability. This will promote their future increased application as materials for orthopaedic joint replacements. Not all elements with β-stabilizing properties in titanium alloys are suitable for biomaterial applications—corrosion and wear processes cause a release of these alloying elements to the surrounding tissue. In this investigation, the biocompability of alloying elements for β- and near β-titanium alloys was tested in order to estimate their suitability for biomaterial components. Titanium (grade 2) and the implant steel X2CrNiMo18153 (AISI 316 L) were tested as reference materials. The investigation included the corrosion properties of the elements, proliferation, mitochondrial activity, cell morphology and the size of MC3T3-E1 cells and GM7373 cells after 7 days incubation in direct contact with polished slices of the metals. The statistical significance was considered by Weir-test and Lord-test (α=0.05). The biocompatibility range of the investigated metals is (decreasing biocompatibility): niobium–tantalum, titanium, zirconium–aluminium–316 L–molybdenum.