Abstract
Structural biomedical implant alloys are predominantly titanium-based with UNS R56400 (Ti-6Al-4V; Ti64) being the most commonly used. These alloys demonstrate excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility; however, there is an ongoing need to have longer lasting implants given the rapid increase in the longevity of the world’s population. A critical issue concerning the durability of the implants is aseptic loosening, a phenomenon initiated by the release of metallic cations from the alloy that alters the equilibrium between osteoclasts (bone-consuming cells) and osteoblasts (bone-building cells), and promotes the growth of osteoclasts. One potential approach to alleviating this problem is through the use of alternative alloys that could provide higher durability, e.g., by reducing the release of cations, evoking a more favorable cell response, etc. Recently, titanium alloys containing a moderate amount of boron have been developed for structural applications. In this study, the response of Ti64 with different amounts of boron were characterized in lactated Ringer’s solutions, Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution and Phosphate Buffered Saline using cyclic potentiodynamic polarization tests based on a modified version of the ASTM F2129-08 test, as well as the ASTM G59-97 testing protocol.
