Biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of low-cost Ti–14Mn–Zr alloys

Titanium and titanium alloys are widely spread in biomedical applications. The need to replace high-cost alloying elements is increasing, as well as the low biocompatibility elements. In the current study, the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and cytocompatibility of the new biomedical Ti–14Mn–xZr alloys were investigated (x = 1.5, 3, and 6% wt. Zr). Homogenization, solution heat treatments, and cold deformation were applied. The results showed the predominance of the β-phase even after a high degree of deformation. The mechanical properties showed that Ti–14Mn–xZr have ultra-high-strength values that reach 1830 MPa with low elongation. Furthermore, the severe deformation by cold rolling and increasing the Zr content enhances the corrosion resistance of Ti–14Mn–xZr alloys. The cytotoxicity test shows that Ti–14Mn–xZr alloys have very high cytocompatibility with cell viability within 96 ≈ 99%, representing a potential alloy that can be considered for further development of bio-applications.