Production and Characterization of Ta-Sn Alloy Foam for Biomedical Applications

In this study, Ta-Sn alloy foam was manufactured by using space holder method for biomedical applications. The aim of the study is development of an alloy with suitable mechanical properties, with good medical imaging (digital radiography, computed tomography) properties (radiopacity), with high bioactivity. Powder metallurgy-based space holder method enables manufacturing of open-cell foam with low elastic modulus. Powder mixtures were prepared by mechanical alloying. Carbamide was used as a pore former. Ta has suitable radiopacity, strength, ductility, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. But Ta has high price, high melting temperature, high activity, and high density. Sn addition was lowered the melting temperature, and cost of Ta. Sinterability of Ta, which is a refractory metal, was enhanced by Sn addition. Corrosion behaviour of Ta alloy was examined. Young’s modulus was determined by compression and ultrasonic tests. Increasing Sn content of the alloy increased the Young’s modulus. Increasing porosity decreased the Young’s modulus. Ta alloy has no cytotoxic potential according to neutral red test. Sn addition was lowered the polarization resistance and slightly increased the corrosion rate of Ta-Sn alloy samples.