Recent Studies and Developments in Titanium Biomaterials

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys have a high specific strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility. Therefore, these alloys are adopted as raw materials for artificial bones and joints. Furthermore, these alloys are used as materials for dental surgery. In the development of alloy design, beta-type titanium alloys that possess a lower Young’s modulus than other types of titanium alloys, e.g., Ti-6Al-4V alpha-beta-type alloys, are being actively investigated worldwide. Based on these studies, titanium-niobium-tantalum and zirconium system alloys were developed. For example, Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy has a low Young’s modulus, excellent biocompatibility, and improved mechanical properties. Many researchers are actively investigating surface modifications and surface treatments. Additive manufacturing, namely 3D printing, wherein metal powders are piled up layer by layer to produce goods without a mold, has attracted attention in many fields, including manufacture of implants, especially porous structural implants with a low Young’s modulus. It is very important that titanium and its alloys be applied to health-care goods, e.g., wheelchairs and prostheses. Therefore, we herein consider four topics: alloy development, coating and surface modification, additive manufacturing, and health care applications.