Titanium 6Al 4V ELI F136

Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust and the fourth metallic element. Its atomic number is 22, near copper, nickel and iron in the periodic table. Titanium is a metal element well known for its excellent corrosion resistance and its great mechanical strength. Titanium is a lightweight metal, strong and easy to manufacture with low density, as strong as steel and 45% lighter.

These characteristics make Titanium very resistant against the usual types of fatigue, being used in high performance projects, such as the construction of submarines and desalination of sea water, the manufacture of turbofan turbine blades, turbojets and turboprops; the manufacture of heat recoverers in nuclear power plants; missiles and artillery parts, among others.

The Titanium was a laboratory curiosity until 1946, when Kroll developed a process for the commercial production of Titanium by reducing the tetra chloride of Titanium. Since that time, the availability of Titanium has promoted a great development of new and improved alloys, as well as extensive variations in properties of some alloys.

In the last three decades, there has been rapid and significant progress in the development of surgical instruments and implants with the use of Titanium. As the requirements for materials have become increasingly sophisticated, Titanium and its alloys have been experienced in numerous situations. Of the many Titanium alloys that were considered convenient for medical applications, pure Titanium and Ti-6Al 4V alloy became the most used. The clinical success of Titanium alloys (especially Ti-6Al 4V alloy) is largely due to its extraordinary mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and superior biocompatibility. Thus, Titanium has played a significant role in numerous surgical procedures in the field of orthopedic, cardiovascular and dental implants (especially Pure Titanium and Ti-6Al 4V alloy).

For these areas, the Titanium to be used in the elaboration of the Ti-6Al 4V alloy is defined by the specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American normalization organ. ASTM develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems and services.

International standards specifying the use of Ti-6AI AV ELI-linked titanium for surgeries and implants, ASTM F136 "Standard Specification for Wrought Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) Alloy for Surgical Implant Applications" (UNS R56401) determines the Titanium standards to be used in such procedures, and in particular the Ti-6Al 4V ELI alloy.

Through these technical specifications, medical researchers evaluated the commercially pure titanium and alloy Ti-6Al 4V, having defined them as exceptional materials for surgical implant applications. In addition to the Ti-6AI 4V alloy, several other alloys have also been considered highly corrosion resistant and convenient for medical applications, but the vast majority of applications have been limited to commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al 4V alloy.

Sandinox has extensive experience in marketing a full range of Titanium and Stainless Steel materials for the production of surgical implants and instruments.

Sandinox works tirelessly for the search for products and materials of advanced technology and quality, to always ensure the satisfaction of its customers and the health of patients. If your need is Titanium, or Ti-6Al 4V alloys, consult Sandinox.