Achieving optimized tribocorrosion resistance on Ti₅₁Zr₁₅Nb₁₄Mo₁₇Cu₃ alloy via precipitate engineering

Tribocorrosion resistance is critical for artificial implants in clinical applications. In this study, Ti_54-xZr₁₅Nb₁₄Mo₁₇Cu_x (x = 0, 1, 3, 5 at%) alloys were developed to investigate the Cu content-dependent tribocorrosion resistance. Increasing Cu content promotes CuZr precipitate formation in the BCC matrix. Notably, Ti₅₁Zr₁₅Nb₁₄Mo₁₇Cu₃ alloy fulfills a desirable tribocorrosion resistance. Moderate CuZr precipitates optimize the Volta potential difference and the surface protective oxides which not only mitigate the wear damage but also decrease the corrosion rate. The results of this work offer new insights for designing TiZrNbMoCu-based alloys for artificial orthopedic implants.