Journal article
Additively Manufactured Metastable-β Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn Exhibits Superior Corrosion, Semiconducting, and Cell Metabolic Properties Over Ti-6Al-4V
Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A, v 113(11), e38015
Nov 2025
PMID: 41208046
Abstract
Manufacturers frequently use Ti-6Al-4V for permanently implanted medical devices. While clinically successful, Ti-6Al-4V corrodes at modular taper interfaces in both the hip and knee. Additionally, additive manufacturing (AM) can develop biomaterials with the potential to improve upon Ti-6Al-4V's properties. In this study, we used AM to generate Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn, comparing the admixture to classically melted Ti-Nb-Zr and wrought-annealed Ti-6Al-4V. We asked (1) how does manufacturing alter Ti-Nb-Zr biomaterial structure; (2) do resulting structural differences govern corrosion and semiconducting properties; and (3) does biomaterial chemistry and structure affect cell metabolic activity? To answer these questions, we first used scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction to characterize microstructure. Then, we elucidated the corrosion properties and semiconducting performance in 0.1 M H
O
and PBS solutions. Next, we measured the cell metabolic activity after 24 and 72 h. Manufacturing profoundly altered the Ti-Nb-Zr biomaterials, with AM processes generating a columnar microstructure consisting of elongated grains. This contrasted with the equiaxed β grains of the alloy produced by melting processes. However, these structural changes had little effect on the corrosion or semiconducting properties. Additionally, both Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn and Ti-Nb-Zr exhibited increased corrosion resistance and decreased defect densities over Ti-6Al-4V in 0.1 M H
O
. Finally, we documented superior cell metabolic properties on polished and as-built Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn surfaces after 72 h. Combined, these results suggest an inhibitory effect of ZrO
oxides on reactive oxygen species and support the continued characterization of Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn as a candidate biomaterial.
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Details
- Title
- Additively Manufactured Metastable-β Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn Exhibits Superior Corrosion, Semiconducting, and Cell Metabolic Properties Over Ti-6Al-4V
- Creators
- Michael A Kurtz (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityNolwenn Rince - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiquePaul M DeSantis - Drexel UniversityMelissa L Vuong - Drexel UniversityPratik Chapagain - Drexel UniversityHannah Spece - Drexel UniversityPhilippe Castany - Université Rennes 2Thierry Gloriant - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de RennesSteven M Kurtz - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A, v 113(11), e38015
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 22
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001618002900008
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105021200701
- Other Identifier
- 991022130759204721
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Materials Science, Biomaterials