Recent Advances and Prospects in ß-type Titanium Alloys for Dental Implants Applications.

Titanium and its alloys, especially Ti-6Al-4V, are widely studied in implantology for their favorable characteristics. However, challenges remain, such as the high modulus of elasticity and concerns about cytotoxicity. To resolve these issues, research focuses on ß-type titanium alloys that incorporate elements such as Mo, Nb, Sn, and Ta to improve corrosion resistance and obtain a lower modulus of elasticity compatible with bone. This review comprehensively examines current ß titanium alloys, evaluating their mechanical properties, in particular the modulus of elasticity, and corrosion resistance. To this end, a systematic literature search was carried out, where 81 articles were found to evaluate these outcomes. In addition, this review also covers the formation of the alloy, processing methods such as arc melting, and its physical, mechanical, electrochemical, tribological, and biological characteristics. Because ß-Ti alloys have a modulus of elasticity closer to that of human bone compared to other metal alloys, they help reduce stress shielding. This is important because the alloy allows for a more even distribution of forces by having a modulus of elasticity more similar to that of bone. In addition, these alloys show good corrosion resistance due to the formation of a noble titanium oxide layer, facilitated by the incorporation of ß stabilizers. These alloys also show significant improvements in mechanical strength and hardness. Finally, they also have lower cytotoxicity and bacterial adhesion, depending on the ß stabilizer used. However, there are persistent challenges that require detailed research in critical areas, such as optimizing the composition of the alloy to achieve optimal properties in different clinical applications. In addition, it is crucial to study the long-term effects of implants on the human body and to advance the development of cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to guarantee the quality and biocompatibility of implants.

Magneto-optical borogermanate glasses and fibers containing Tb3.

New glass compositions containing high concentrations of Tb3+ ions were developed aiming at the production of magneto-optical (MO) fibers. This work reports on the structural and MO properties of a new glass composition based on (100 - x)(41GeO2-25B2O3-4Al2O3-10Na2O-20BaO) - xTb4O7. Morphological analysis (HR-TEM) of the sample with the highest concentration of Tb3+ ions confirmed the homogeneous distribution of Tb3+ ions and the absence of nanoclusters. All the samples presented excellent thermal stability against crystallization (ΔT > 100 °C). An optical fiber was manufactured by a fiber drawing process. The UV-Vis spectra of the glasses showed Tb3+ electronic transitions and optical windows varying from 0.4 to 1.6 µm. The magneto-optical properties and the paramagnetic behaviors of the glasses were investigated using Faraday rotation experiments. The Verdet constant (VB) values were calculated at 500, 650, 880, 1050, 1330, and 1550 nm. The maximum VB values obtained at 650 and 1550 nm for the glass with x = 18 mol% were -128 and - 17.6 rad T-1 m-1, respectively. The VB values at 500 and 1550 nm for the optical fiber containing 8 mol% of Tb4O7 were - 110.2 and - 9.5 rad T-1 m-1, respectively, while the optical loss at around 880 nm was 6.4 dB m-1.

Phosphate glasses via coacervation route containing CdFe2O4 nanoparticles: structural, optical and magnetic characterization.

CdFe2O4 nanoparticles of around 3.9 nm were synthesized using the coprecipitation method and protected by a silica layer. The nanoparticles were mixed with a coacervate and transformed into phosphate glasses with 1, 4 and 8% in mass of nanoparticles by the melt-quenching method. TEM images confirm that the nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the matrix without inducing crystallization. 31P NMR and Raman spectral analyses show that new P-O-Si bonds are formed in the glasses containing nanoparticles. The glass transition increases as a function of the nanoparticle content due to an increase in the connectivity of the phosphate glass chains. The UV-Vis spectra show bands at 415 and 520 nm assigned to Fe3+ ions and at 1025 nm, characteristic of Fe2+ ions, indicating that some of the nanoparticles dissolve during the melting process. The sample with 8% CdFe2O4 presents a paramagnetic behavior. The glasses obtained are transparent, non-hygroscopic and possess enormous thermal stability which is important for the production of optical devices.

From Porous to Dense Nanostructured ß-Ti alloys through High-Pressure Torsion.

ß-Ti alloys have low elastic modulus, good specific strength and high corrosion resistance for biomaterial applications. Noble elements, such as Nb, Ta and Mo, are used to obtain ß-Ti due to their chemical biocompatibility. However, due to their refractory nature, ß-Ti requires specific processing routes. Powder metallurgy (P/M) allows for the development of new ß-Ti alloys with decreasing costs, but dealing with high-elemental-content alloys can lead to a lack of diffusion and grain growth. One method to refine the structure and improve mechanical properties is a severe plastic deformation technique through high-pressure torsion (HPT). The aim of this work was to evaluate the conversion of P/M porous ß-Ti-35Nb-10Ta-xFe alloys to dense nanostructures through high-pressure torsion in one deformation step and the influence of the structure variation on the properties and microstructure. TEM analysis and ASTAR crystallographic mapping was utilized to characterize the nanostructures, and the properties of P/M ß Ti-35Nb-10Ta-xFe alloys processed by HPT were compared. The initial microstructure consisted mainly by the ß-Ti phase with some α-Ti phase at the grain boundaries. The HPT process refined the microstructure from 50 µm (P/M) down to nanostructured grains of approximately 50 nm.

On the Process-Related Rivet Microstructural Evolution, Material Flow and Mechanical Properties of Ti-6Al-4V/GFRP Friction-Riveted Joints.

In the current work, process-related thermo-mechanical changes in the rivet microstructure, joint local and global mechanical properties, and their correlation with the rivet plastic deformation regime were investigated for Ti-6Al-4V (rivet) and glass-fiber-reinforced polyester (GF-P) friction-riveted joints of a single polymeric base plate. Joints displaying similar quasi-static mechanical performance to conventional bolted joints were selected for detailed characterization. The mechanical performance was assessed on lap shear specimens, whereby the friction-riveted joints were connected with AA2198 gussets. Two levels of energy input were used, resulting in process temperatures varying from 460 ± 130 °C to 758 ± 56 °C and fast cooling rates (178 ± 15 °C/s, 59 ± 15 °C/s). A complex final microstructure was identified in the rivet. Whereas equiaxial α-grains with ß-phase precipitated in their grain boundaries were identified in the rivet heat-affected zone, refined α' martensite, Widmanstätten structures and ß-fleck domains were present in the plastically deformed rivet volume. The transition from equiaxed to acicular structures resulted in an increase of up to 24% in microhardness in comparison to the base material. A study on the rivet material flow through microtexture of the α-Ti phase and ß-fleck orientation revealed a strong effect of shear stress and forging which induced simple shear deformation. By combining advanced microstructural analysis techniques with local mechanical testing and temperature measurement, the nature of the complex rivet plastic deformational regime could be determined.

High resolution transmission electron microscopy study of the hardening mechanism through phase separation in a beta-Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy for implant applications.

beta-Ti alloys are highly attractive metallic materials for biomedical applications due to their high specific strength, high corrosion resistance and excellent biocompatibility, including low elastic modulus. This work aims to clarify the hardening mechanism of a beta-Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta alloy using different characterization techniques. Ingots (50 g) of Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta (wt.%) alloy were arc furnace melted in an Ar((g)) atmosphere, homogenized, hot rolled, solubilized and finally aged at several temperatures from 200 to 700 degrees C for 4 h. Microstructure characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The 4 h aging showed that the highest hardness values were found when aged at 400 degrees C and the HR-TEM images confirmed splitting of spots on the Fourier space map, which indicated the presence of a coherent interface between separated phases (beta and beta') and explains the hardening mechanism of the alloy. Through geometric phase analysis analysis, using the HR-TEM image, the localized strain map showed 5-10 nm domains of the beta and beta' phases. The combination of suitable values of yield strength, hardness and low Young's modulus makes Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy suitable for medical applications as a metallic orthopedic implant.

Utilization of muscle flaps in the treatment of bronchopleural fistulas.

This paper reports the results of a series of 5 patients who underwent closure of persistent bronchopleural fistula using extrathoracic muscle flaps over a 6-year period. All patients had failed more conservative treatment. The surgeries were one- or two-stage procedures performed with the collaboration of cardiovascular and reconstructive surgical staffs. There were no associated mortalities. The muscle flaps utilized were the latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and trapezius. The results have been encouraging and allowed the complete closure of the bronchopleural fistula in the majority of patients. The authors present the best management of this serious disease, as well as its pathophysiology and clinical aspects.

Muscle and musculocutaneous flap coverage of exposed spinal fusion devices.

Midline wound dehiscence in the back with exposure of spinal stabilization devices remains a challenging problem, mainly in the presence of infection. Usually, the treatment consists of instrumentation removal, wound debridement, and antibiotic therapy. These can result in instability of the spine and significantly prolong the hospitalization. The use of muscle and musculocutaneous flaps provides excellent soft-tissue coverage, obliterates the dead space, controls the infection, and creates conditions to salvage the hardware. Eight cases of spinal rod instrumentation, complicated by wound infection and dehiscence, have been treated successfully with single or multiple muscles and musculocutaneous flaps. Our method of treatment for these complex wounds, in two institutions, is discussed.