Biocompatible Inter-metallic Compound
With material forming the basis of nature, scientists spend years to learn from the materials nature has endowed to the earth to be used in various application and solving societal problems.
Scientists have discovered a new material, intermetallic compound Ti 3 Au as a better compound for health applications and any bio related application. Already the great mechanical properties of Ti has led to it application in the automobile and aerospace industry and for implants to replace hard damaged tissue of the human body . For example Ti is used in the manufacture of artificial knee, hip joints and dental applications like crowns, bridges and inlays. The mechanical properties of Ti that make it useful for such application include high strength to weight ratio and more importantly the low formation of ions when in aqueous surroundings; being a key reason for it medical applications. These great properties of Ti has provided a step for development of great alloys of Ti which are strong for advanced surgical applications. Though earlier discoveries like the alloying of Ti with Cu have been found to increase the hardness 200% , more important was the fact that the alloying the Ti with elements of same valence and higher mass density lead to stronger bond and hence alloys of higher hardness obtained.
The Au composition the alloy of Ti-3Au make the compound also resistant to corrosion which adds up to the great properties of Ti which make it good for medical applications. Also found was non tedious variation in the alloys of Ti Au and the enhances hardness in Ti-3Au due to its cubic structured compound and low coefficient of friction. The experimental observation and the theoretical calculations brought to bare the fact that the high hardness of the intermetallic compound Ti Au is due the short Ti-Au bond in the cubic structure, the high valence electron density(VED) and a pseudo gap present in the electronic density of states. Moreover the short bond length for the B phase (2.88447A) compared to the long length of a). Finally the ability of Ti-3 Au to inhibit dislocations while improving its hardness makes it a biocompatible.
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In addition to the estimated number of aircraft components that will be 3D printed to reduce weight aeroplanes and complex machines, I think more research into the possible alloys of titanium will lead to the design of more lighter but tough material for aerospace components and automobile chassis that will reduces the weight to volume ratio. Also the further research could help in the development of alloys of the titanium that could be used in printing human parts like the skull for surgical purposes. To enable scientist to continue their journey in emulating nature, a key understanding of the factors that influence the hardness of the Ti-3Au and other such materials are vital to provide pathways for improving on the already existing biocompatible alloys. This will enable biomedical engineers to providing countering solutions to the lost of limbs and organs the results from the events of wars and unusual happenings of the earth like earthquakes.
Justice Valentine Essuman
