Natural Grade 7 Grade 12 Titanium Round Bar for Medical Implants in Medical Applications

Titanium Bar, Titanium Round Bar, and Titanium Rod (Grade 7 & Grade 12) for Medical Implants: A Comprehensive Overview

Titanium is widely recognized in the medical industry for its biocompatibility, strength, and corrosion resistance. Among the different grades of titanium, Grade 7 and Grade 12 are specifically chosen for medical implants due to their superior properties, which make them ideal for contact with the human body. Below, we will delve into the details of these materials and their applications in medical implants.

Titanium Grade 7 (Ti-0.15Pd)

Grade 7 titanium, also known as Ti-0.15Pd (Titanium with 0.15% Palladium), is a special form of titanium that is alloyed with a small amount of palladium. This addition enhances its corrosion resistance, particularly in chloride-rich environments such as body fluids.

Key Properties of Titanium Grade 7:

1. Excellent Corrosion Resistance:

   • Titanium Grade 7 excels in environments that are challenging for most metals, especially in the presence of bodily fluids, saline solutions, and other corrosive environments.
   • The palladium enhances resistance to both chloride-induced and oxidative corrosion, making it an excellent choice for long-term implantation in the human body.

2. Good Strength-to-Weight Ratio:

   • It provides a high strength while maintaining a low density, making it ideal for use in implants that need to be both strong and lightweight.

3. Biocompatibility:

   • Grade 7 is biocompatible, meaning it is non-toxic and does not induce a negative immune response in the human body.

4. Weldability and Fabricability:

   • Titanium Grade 7 is easy to work with in various medical fabrication processes, including machining, welding, and casting.

5. Mechanical Properties:

   • Tensile Strength: 550 MPa (80 ksi)
   • Yield Strength: 480 MPa (70 ksi)
   • Elongation: 15%

Applications in Medical Implants:

• Dental Implants: Titanium Grade 7 is commonly used in dental implants due to its excellent corrosion resistance in the oral environment.
• Orthopedic Implants: It is suitable for joint replacements, screws, and plates because of its strength and biocompatibility.
• Surgical Instruments: Grade 7 is often used for tools and instruments that need to be durable, resistant to corrosion, and non-reactive with biological tissues.

Titanium Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni)

Grade 12 titanium (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni) is an alloy of titanium, molybdenum, and nickel. This composition improves the material’s corrosion resistance and strength, especially in environments that are prone to corrosion.

Key Properties of Titanium Grade 12:

1. Superior Corrosion Resistance:

   • Grade 12 exhibits exceptional resistance to chloride environments, making it ideal for use in marine and medical applications where corrosion could be a concern.
   • The molybdenum and nickel additions improve the material’s resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking.

2. High Strength and Durability:

   • Grade 12 titanium offers higher strength compared to commercially pure titanium grades, while still being relatively lightweight.
   • This makes it well-suited for implants that need to withstand significant loads without failure over long periods.

3. Biocompatibility:

   • Like Grade 7, Grade 12 is highly biocompatible and is used in orthopedic implants, dental implants, and other devices that remain in the body long-term.

4. Weldability and Fabricability:

   • Titanium Grade 12 is relatively easy to weld and machine, making it a great material choice for complex implant designs.

5. Mechanical Properties:

   • Tensile Strength: 600 MPa (87 ksi)
   • Yield Strength: 550 MPa (80 ksi)
   • Elongation: 15%

Applications in Medical Implants:

• Orthopedic Implants: It is used for joint replacements, bone screws, and surgical plates that require higher strength and durability.
• Vascular Stents: Grade 12’s resistance to corrosion and high strength make it an ideal material for vascular stents used in heart surgeries.
• Medical Devices: It is also employed in implants and surgical instruments for various types of procedures, offering a reliable, long-lasting solution in sensitive areas.

Titanium Bar, Round Bar, and Rod for Medical Applications

Titanium in the form of bars, round bars, and rods is commonly used in the production of medical implants, devices, and surgical instruments. These forms are typically supplied as stock shapes that can be machined, welded, or forged into various implant components.

Advantages of Titanium Bars and Rods:

1. Customizability:

   • These shapes are versatile and can be customized into different sizes, shapes, and lengths depending on the specific requirements of the implant.

2. Machinability:

   • Titanium bars, round bars, and rods can be easily machined into specific components such as pins, plates, and screws for orthopedic procedures.

3. Consistent Quality:

   • Titanium bars and rods are manufactured with strict quality control, ensuring high consistency in material properties, which is crucial for medical applications where failure is not an option.

4. Long-term Reliability:

   • Implants made from titanium bars, round bars, or rods have a long service life, maintaining their structural integrity even in harsh biological environments.

How These Forms Are Used in Medical Implants:

• Custom Surgical Implants: Titanium rods can be used to create custom-made implants tailored to a patient’s specific anatomy.
• Joint Replacement: Round bars are often used for creating hip and knee replacement parts, providing both strength and lightweight properties.
• Bone Screws and Plates: Titanium bars and rods are ideal for producing strong, lightweight bone screws and surgical plates used in fracture repair and orthopedic surgeries.

Summary of Key Benefits for Medical Applications:

Specifications of Titanium Grades

Titanium alloys are classified into different grades based on their composition and mechanical properties. These grades determine the strength, corrosion resistance, and suitability for various applications, including aerospace, medical, industrial, and marine environments. Below is an overview of the most commonly used titanium grades and their specifications.

Grade 1 (CP Titanium)

• Composition: Pure titanium (99.5% Ti or higher)
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 240 MPa (35 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 170 MPa (25 ksi)
  • Elongation: 24%
• Key Properties:
  • Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in aerobic environments.
  • Good formability and weldability.
  • The softest and most ductile titanium grade.
• Common Uses:
  • Chemical processing equipment.
  • Heat exchangers.
  • Marine applications.
  • Aerospace.

Grade 2 (CP Titanium)

• Composition: Pure titanium (99% Ti)
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 400 MPa (58 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 275 MPa (40 ksi)
  • Elongation: 20%
• Key Properties:
  • Good corrosion resistance in a variety of environments.
  • Moderate strength.
  • Excellent weldability.
  • Widely used as the most versatile titanium alloy.
• Common Uses:
  • Marine environments.
  • Medical implants.
  • Aerospace applications.
  • Chemical processing.

Grade 3 (CP Titanium)

• Composition: Pure titanium (99.2% Ti)
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 480 MPa (70 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 345 MPa (50 ksi)
  • Elongation: 18%
• Key Properties:
  • Higher strength compared to Grade 1 and Grade 2.
  • Good corrosion resistance but slightly less than Grades 1 and 2.
  • Less formable but still weldable.
• Common Uses:
  • Aerospace.
  • Chemical processing.
  • Medical implants.
  • Desalination plants.

Grade 4 (CP Titanium)

• Composition: Pure titanium (99% Ti)
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 550 MPa (80 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 480 MPa (70 ksi)
  • Elongation: 15%
• Key Properties:
  • Strongest of the commercially pure titanium grades.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in oxidizing environments.
  • Less ductile and less weldable than Grades 1–3.
• Common Uses:
  • Marine applications.
  • Chemical processing equipment.
  • Aerospace.

Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V)

• Composition: 90% Titanium, 6% Aluminum, 4% Vanadium
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 900 MPa (130 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 828 MPa (120 ksi)
  • Elongation: 10–15%
• Key Properties:
  • High strength and lightweight.
  • Good corrosion resistance in most environments.
  • Weldable, though it may require special care.
  • Widely used in high-performance applications.
• Common Uses:
  • Aerospace.
  • Medical implants (e.g., joint replacements, dental implants).
  • Marine applications.
  • Sports equipment (e.g., bicycles, golf clubs).

Grade 7 (Ti-0.15Pd)

• Composition: Titanium with 0.15% Palladium
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 550 MPa (80 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 480 MPa (70 ksi)
  • Elongation: 15%
• Key Properties:
  • Excellent corrosion resistance in body fluids (ideal for medical applications).
  • Higher weldability than pure titanium grades.
  • Palladium addition significantly improves resistance to chloride corrosion.
• Common Uses:
  • Medical implants.
  • Dental implants.
  • Surgical tools.

Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V)

• Composition: 90% Titanium, 3% Aluminum, 2.5% Vanadium
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 620 MPa (90 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 550 MPa (80 ksi)
  • Elongation: 18%
• Key Properties:
  • Moderate strength.
  • Better formability and weldability compared to other titanium alloys.
  • Corrosion resistant in many environments.
• Common Uses:
  • Aerospace.
  • Sports equipment (bicycles, golf clubs).
  • Medical devices.

Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni)

• Composition: Titanium with 0.3% Molybdenum and 0.8% Nickel
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 600 MPa (87 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 550 MPa (80 ksi)
  • Elongation: 15%
• Key Properties:
  • Excellent corrosion resistance in chloride environments.
  • Higher strength than Grade 2 and Grade 3 titanium.
  • Good weldability and fabricability.
• Common Uses:
  • Medical implants (e.g., orthopedic devices).
  • Dental implants.
  • Vascular stents.
  • Chemical processing.

Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI)

• Composition: 90% Titanium, 6% Aluminum, 4% Vanadium (extra-low interstitial)
• Mechanical Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: 900 MPa (130 ksi)
  • Yield Strength: 828 MPa (120 ksi)
  • Elongation: 10–15%
• Key Properties:
  • Extra-low interstitials (ELI) result in superior fracture toughness and ductility.
  • Ideal for medical applications due to reduced impurities.
• Common Uses:
  • Medical implants (especially for weight-bearing implants like hip replacements).
  • Aerospace.

Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) vs. Grade 23

• Grade 5 is typically used in high-performance applications, such as aerospace and sports equipment, while Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) is a specialized version of Grade 5 with lower interstitial elements, making it more biocompatible for medical implants.

Summary of Titanium Grades