Corrosion performance of Ti-Cu alloys targeted for biomedical applications

The Thermo-Calc™ program and TTTI3 database were used to predict the phases in Ti-Cu with 5, 25, 40 wt% Cu. Based on predicted results, experimental work was conducted alloys produced a button arc furnace, characterised as-cast annealed condition (900°C) followed by water quenching. Microstructures compositions determined using an electron probe micro-analyser, identified X-ray diffraction. corrosion performance measured potentiodynamic polarisation phosphate buffered saline solution at 37 °C 7.4 pH while purging nitrogen gas. Ti-5Cu Ti-25Cu comprised (αTi) Ti2Cu phases, Ti-40Cu alloy TiCu. Although addition of copper decreased down 75%, rates still within acceptable range (0.02-0.13 mm/y) for biocompatibility metallic implants. Annealing 900 did not improve performance.