Ti$_{1-x}$Au$_x$ Alloys: Hard Biocompatible Metals and Their Possible Applications

TL;DR

This paper explores Ti-Au alloys as promising biocompatible, hard materials with high strength, low density, and excellent wear resistance, suitable for biomedical and orthopedic applications.

Contribution

It introduces the potential of Ti$_{1-x}$Au$_x$ alloys as new biocompatible, hard materials with unique properties for medical and industrial uses.

Findings

Exhibit extreme hardness and strength

High biocompatibility and wear resistance

Potential for orthopedic and dental applications

Abstract

The search for new hard materials is often challenging from both theoretical and experimental points of view. Furthermore, using materials for biomedical applications calls for alloys with high biocompatibility which are even more sparse. The Ti$_{1-x}$Au$_x$ ($0.22 \leq x \leq 0.8$) exhibit extreme hardness and strength values, elevated melting temperatures (compared to those of constituent elements), reduced density compared to Au, high malleability, bulk metallicity, high biocompatibility, low wear, reduced friction, potentially high radio opacity, as well as osseointegration. All these properties render the Ti$_{1-x}$Au$_x$ alloys particularly useful for orthopedic, dental, and prosthetic applications, where they could be used as both permanent and temporary components. Additionally, the ability of Ti$_{1-x}$Au$_x$ alloys to adhere to ceramic parts could reduce the weight and cost of these components.