Mechanical and biotribological properties of ceramic–metal composites (TiC/Ti–15Mo and SiC/Ti–15Mo) for joint prostheses and the effects of additive metallic elements of W, Nb, and Ir

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 549; pp. 38 - 42
• Main Authors: Mishina, Hiroshi, Kaji, Tomoki, Ikegami, Hisashi, Ohishi, Ryota, Hase, Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.07.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Contact of materials. Friction. Wear; Dispersion hardening metals; Elasticity. Plasticity; Exact sciences and technology; High resistance; Joint prostheses; Mechanical properties; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Niobium; Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Production techniques; Prostheses; Prosthetics; Silicon carbide; Sintering; Surgical implants; Titanium; Titanium carbide; Wear; Wear resistance; Joint prostheses; Mechanical properties; Composites; Sintering; Wear; Metal matrix composite; Hardness; Alloying element; X ray diffraction; Titanium base alloys; Titanium carbide; Composite material; Dispersion strengthened metal; Fracture toughness; Bending strength; Spark plasma sintering; Molybdenum alloy; Silicon carbide; Wear resistance; Rupture strength
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2012.03.113

► We fabricate TiC/(Ti–15Mo) or SiC/(Ti–15Mo) composite for use in joint prostheses. ► We examine mechanical and biotribological properties of composites. ► TiC/(Ti–15Mo) composites has higher fracture toughness. ► SiC/(Ti–15Mo) composites has high resistance to wear. ► We examine the effect of the addition of W, Nb, or Ir in the composites. Ceramic–metal composites based on TiC or SiC with a metallic phase of Ti–15Mo and, optionally, additional metallic elements were prepared by means of spark plasma sintering as biomaterials with high strength and high resistance to wear for potential use in joint prostheses. The mechanical and biotribological properties of the composites were evaluated by measuring their hardness, bending strength, fracture toughness, and wear resistance. The effects were examined of adding metallic tungsten, niobium, or iridium to TiC/(Ti–15Mo) or SiC/(Ti–15Mo) in attempts to produce materials that combine a high fracture toughness with a high resistance to wear.