Osteoblast culture on titanium base bioalloy and its corrosion resistance in physiological solutions

Abstract

In vitro osteoblast culture on Ti-6Al-7Nb bioalloy was characterized in this paper. Also, the corrosion resistance of titanium and its Ti-6Al-7Nb bioalloy in Ringer solutions were determined as an aspect of their biocompatibility. Human osteoblast proliferation and viability are very good. Cell effort to adhere on metallic support is visualized by some morphologic changes of the osteoblasts. Cytotoxicity effects of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy appeared after 48 culture hours and decreased in time, demonstrating a very good biocompatibility. In Ringer solution of different pH values (2.5; 6.9 and 8.9), titanium and Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy presented self-passivation, very large passive potential range, very low passive current densities, confirming a compact, protective, stable layer. The very low corrosion rates and ion release values prove a near imperceptible toxicity. In Ringer solution, open circuit potentials of titanium and its Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy tend to electropositive values, attesting a process of passivity increase by thickening.