PRODUCTION OF BIOMEDICAL Ti5Ag ALLOY BY POWDER METALLURGY

Abstract

In the current study, Ti5Ag alloy was produced by powder metallurgical techniques and its mechanical and biological properties were carried out. Pure Ti and Ag particles were mechanically mixed by a ball milling equipment and then sintered uniaxial hot pressing. Sintering was conducted at 950 oC under 50 MPa pressure for 30 minutes. Sintering was applied under a vacuum atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the used particles. Hardness and dry sliding wear tests of the produced samples were studied. The antibacterial behaviour of the Ti5Ag alloy compared to pure titanium were determined using Staphylococcus Aureus ATCC 29213 and Escherichia Coli ATCC 25922 bacterias. Cytotoxicity properties were investigated with HeLa cancer cells (ATTC, CCL-2). The results showed that the Ti5Ag alloy showed higher hardness and wear resistance than pure titanium. Biological test results have also revealed that Ag content significantly improved antibacterial properties and prevents the formation of E. Coli and S. Aureus colonies on the sample surfaces. All the samples exhibited excellent biocompatibility remaining below the maximum cytotoxicity values.