EFFECT OF COPPER CONTENT AND COMPACTION FORCE ON TITANIUM-COPPER SINTERED ALLOY FOR IMPLANT APPLICATION

• Main Author: FRANDO HADINATA SILABAN (NIM : 12513012), YOHANSEN
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/24792
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Biomaterial, that is used in orthopedic implants application, must have high biocompatibility, not too high modulus of elasticity, high mechanical strength and fatigue resistance. Several metals have been used as biomaterial, titanium as well. Titanium has been widely used as a material for the manufacture of orthopedic implants. Titanium is selected for high corrosion resistance, high strength, not too high modulus of elasticity, and better biocompatibility properties compared to other metal alloys commonly used as implant materials. However, titianium does not have antimicrobial properties. In some cases, infections caused by bacterial occur in between 0,5% and 3,0% in all of arthroplasty joints. The problem can be solved with the development of a titanium alloy by addition of alloying elements which have antimicrobial properties, such as copper. Besides, copper will affect the mechanical strength of titanium, so it is necessary to observe the mechanical strength of the alloy. <br /> <br /> <br /> The study was conducted to produce Ti-Cu sintered alloy that can be used as implant application. The experiment begins with the manufacture of Ti-Cu sintered alloy from <44 &#956;m particle size of titanium powder and copper powder with composition of copper are 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt%. Titanium powder and copper powder was mixed using the conventional milling for 30 minutes and then carried out a process of compaction by using force of 40 kN and 60 kN. Samples were then sintered at a temperature of 950oC for 2 hours with flowing argon gas and then cooled in the furnace. Samples that have been sintered then conducted microstructure observation using optical microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), testing Energy Dispersive Spectometer (EDS) to determine the forming element of the phase, hardness properties and compression test. Data generated in the form of microstructure photos, elemental composition in the phase, the hardness in Vickers Hardness scale, and compressive strength in MPa. <br /> <br /> <br /> The experimental results show the microstructure formed on the Ti-Cu sintered alloy based on the analysis of SEM-EDS is &#945;-Ti phase and Ti2Cu intermetallic phase. In alloys with copper composition of 3 wt% and 5 wt% showed a lamellar structure. The average grain sizes and pores of alloys for compaction force 40 kN and 60 kN are 45.72 &#956;m ; 14.13 % and 43.04 &#956;m ; 9.96 %. Hardness will increase along with increasing of copper composition. The highest hardness values obtained in the Ti-5 wt% Cu in 60 kN force with a value of 376.3 HV. The highest compressive strength obtained in the Ti-5 wt% Cu in 60 kN with a value of 1100.413 MPa.