Processing, characterization, andin vitro/in vivoevaluations of powder metallurgy processed Ti‐13Nb‐13Zr alloys

Abstract This article presents details of processing, characterization andin vitroas well asin vivoevaluations of powder metallurgy processed Ti‐13Nb‐13Zr samples with different levels of porosity. Sintered samples were characterized for density, crystalline phases (XRD), and microstructure (SEM and EDX). Samples sintered at 1000°C showed the highest porosity level (∼30%), featuring open and interconnected pores ranging from 50 to 100 μm in diameter but incomplete densification. In contrast, samples sintered at 1300 and 1500°C demonstrated high densification with 10% porosity level distributed in a homogeneous microstructure. The different sintering conditions used in this study demonstrated a coherent trend that is increase in temperature lead to higher sample densification, even though densification represents a drawback for bone ingrowth. Cytotoxicity tests did not reveal any toxic effects of the starting and processed materials on surviving cell percentage. After an 8‐week healing period in rabbit tibias, the implants were retrieved, processed for nondecalcified histological evaluation, and then assessed by backscattered electron images (BSEI‐SEM) and EDX. Bone growth into the microstructure was observed only in samples sintered at 1000°C. Overall, a close relation between newly formed bone and all processed samples was observed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009