In Vitro microstructure, shape memory, corrosion, and biocompatibility characteristics of porous Ti-51 at.%Ni-xSn shape memory alloys

• Main Authors: Ibrahim, Mustafa Khaleel, Saud Al-Humairi, Safaa Najah, Hamzah, Esah, Engku Abu Bakar, Engku Mohammad Nazim
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer 2022
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/103249/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13632-022-00832-3
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

To examine the impact of tin (Sn) element on the microstructure and properties of biomedical β-type Ti-Ni shape memory-based alloys, porous Ti-51 at.%Ni-xSn (x = 0, 0.225, 0.453, and 1.375) alloys were investigated. The microstructure of the Sn-modified and unmodified alloys showed two main regions, viz. Ti- and Ni-rich regions, corresponding to Ti2Ni and TiNi3 phases, plus some intermetallic compounds (Ti3Sn and Sn5Ti6) as Sn was added. The transformation temperature curves of the Ti-Ni and Ti-Ni-xSn samples displayed a multistep phase transformation (β19´ → R → β2) during the heating process. Addition of 0.225 at.% Sn to the Ti-51 at.%Ni sample improved its fracture strength, strain and shape memory behavior, polarization resistance, and antibacterial properties. On the other hand, the antibacterial properties further increased when the Sn content was increased to 0.453 and 1.375 at.%, although the mechanical and shape memory properties were degraded.