The Open Materials Science Journal

2014, 8 : 1-17
Published online 2014 May 16. DOI: 10.2174/1874088X01408010001
Publisher ID: TOMSJ-8-1

Enhancing the Properties of Ti6Al4V as a Biomedical Material: A Review

V.E. Annamalai , S. Kavitha and Sarah Ann Ramji
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai 603110, India.

ABSTRACT

The alloy Ti6Al4V has evolved as a good biomedical material, by virtue of its bio-compatibility. In order to make implants out of this material, it has to be shaped and processed. Shaping this material by conventional manufacturing methods like machining, welding and brazing presents a huge challenge. This challenge has been met by various approaches like additive manufacturing, surface alloying and heat treatment. Additive manufacturing processes are used for shaping; coatings and surface alloying are used for property improvement; heat treatment is used for improving the machinability. The processing method has an impact on the final properties of the product. This review attempts to trace the development of methods and practices for converting Ti6Al4V into a useful material for biomedical applications.

Keywords:

Biomaterial, biomaterial processing, biomaterial testing.