TY - JOUR

T1 - Co-extrusion of Nb–1Zr Powder for the Production of a Biocompatible High-Strength Material for Dental Implants

AU - Schleich, Julian Tobias

AU - Hahn, Luise

AU - Pott, Philipp Cornelius

AU - Maier, Hans Jürgen

AU - Klose, Christian

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Engineering Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

PY - 2024/9/12

Y1 - 2024/9/12

N2 - Many metallic implant materials, such as Ti–6Al–4V, contain elements that are now considered to be critical and have high Young's modulus compared to the human bone, leading to stress shielding. Nb–1Zr alloys, which are free of toxic elements and feature Young's modulus closer to human bone, present a promising alternative. The present study investigates the co-extrusion of a biocompatible Nb–1Zr powder for potential use in dental implants. A process chain to coextrude Nb–1Zr powder into a solid body was developed, focusing on eliminating core fractures and reducing void fraction. Experimental parameters, including die angle, preheating temperature, and extrusion ratio, were optimized to achieve a continuous Nb–1Zr core. Metallographic analysis and mechanical testing reveal that profiles extruded at 1275 °C exhibit the most favorable properties, with a minimal void fraction of 0.003%, good compressive strength of 457 MPa, and microhardness of 180 HV 1. Controlled oxidation of the powder further enhances hardness to 501 HV 1, achieving values similar to Ti–6Al–4V. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-strength, biocompatible Nb–1Zr profiles through optimized co-extrusion processes.

AB - Many metallic implant materials, such as Ti–6Al–4V, contain elements that are now considered to be critical and have high Young's modulus compared to the human bone, leading to stress shielding. Nb–1Zr alloys, which are free of toxic elements and feature Young's modulus closer to human bone, present a promising alternative. The present study investigates the co-extrusion of a biocompatible Nb–1Zr powder for potential use in dental implants. A process chain to coextrude Nb–1Zr powder into a solid body was developed, focusing on eliminating core fractures and reducing void fraction. Experimental parameters, including die angle, preheating temperature, and extrusion ratio, were optimized to achieve a continuous Nb–1Zr core. Metallographic analysis and mechanical testing reveal that profiles extruded at 1275 °C exhibit the most favorable properties, with a minimal void fraction of 0.003%, good compressive strength of 457 MPa, and microhardness of 180 HV 1. Controlled oxidation of the powder further enhances hardness to 501 HV 1, achieving values similar to Ti–6Al–4V. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-strength, biocompatible Nb–1Zr profiles through optimized co-extrusion processes.

KW - co-extrusion

KW - implant material

KW - microstructure

KW - niobium

KW - Vickers hardness

KW - zirconium

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85203599079&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/adem.202401436

DO - 10.1002/adem.202401436

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85203599079

JO - Advanced engineering materials

JF - Advanced engineering materials

SN - 1438-1656

ER -