A low-cost and non-refractory high-entropy alloy for biomedical applications
The demand for metallic biomaterials that combine mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and affordability motivates the development of high-entropy alloys for orthopedic applications. Here, we report three TiZrNb-based alloys containing low-cost and non-refractory elements. The alloys predominantly exhibit body-centered cubic structures with secondary C14 Laves phase precipitation and dendritic microstructures characterized by chemical segregation. They combine high Vickers microhardness of approximately 420 HV with relatively low elastic modulus of 90–100 GPa. Stable passive films provide effective corrosion protection, while tribocorrosion tests reveal strong resistance to the combined action of wear and corrosion. Preliminary in vitro assays also demonstrate adequate cell adhesion and viability after 24 h. Among the investigated compositions, Ti 42 Zr 22 Nb 20 Fe 6 Mn 6 Al 4 (atom %) provides the most favorable balance of economic, mechanical, physicochemical, and biological properties, highlighting its potential as a metallic biomaterial for future orthopedic applications.
Authors
- Silvia Spriano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7367-9777)
- Carlos Roberto Grandini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3336-309X)
- Diego Rafael Nespeque Corrêa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1803-6488)
- Graziano Ubertalli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4628-7639)
- Conrado Ramos Moreira Afonso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7505-8467)
- Marco Fosca (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0962-8083)
- Carlos Alberto Fonzar Pintão (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8900-9946)
- Jhuliene Elen Muro Torrento (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8548-3547)
- Giorgia Ghiara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7851-2861)
- Gerson Santos de Almeida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0208-0441)
- Julietta V. Rau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7953-1853)
- Willian Fernando Zambuzzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4149-5965)
- Mariana Rocha Correa
- Tiago dos Santos Pereira de Sousa
Institutions
- Politecnico di Torino (IT)
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos (BR)
- Sechenov University (RU)
- Universidade Sagrado Coração (BR)
- Institute of Structure of Matter (IT)
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Reports Physical Science
- Published
- 2026-09-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103547
- Primary Topic
- High Entropy Alloys Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico