Difference Between TC4 and Grade 5 Titanium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_alloy

"Titanium alloys are now the most attractive metallic materials for biomedical applications. In medicine, they are used for implant devices replacing failed hard tissue. Examples include artificial hip joints, artificial knee joints, bone plates, screws for fracture fixation, cardiac valve prostheses, pacemakers, and artificial hearts. Ti-6Al-4V has long been a main medical titanium alloy. However, for permanent implant applications the alloy has a possible toxic effect resulting from released vanadium and aluminum. For this reason, vanadium- and aluminum-free alloys have been introduced for implant applications, based on the Ti-6Al-4V implants. These new alloys include Ti-6Al-7Nb (ASTM F1295), Ti-13Nb-13Zr (ASTM F1713), and Ti-12Mo-6Zr (ASTM F1813)."

http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1295.htm

http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1713.htm

http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1813.htm

ref link....

We construct medical implants for a living and can tell you for certain that every procurement agency has a specification for the titanium alloys they will accept. As mentioned in another post, grade 5 is an alloy containing primarily titanium, but also other metals. Although it is one of the stronger alloys, most customers will not accept its use in their products. Much of the hoopla appears to be boogyman stuff, but the customer is always right and we always use the specified alloy which is normally grade 2 titanium. An advantage of grade 2 is that it welds better than grade 5.

Material for medical implants ... And you are even considering buying from China. Do humanity a favour, do not do it. Think of the future law suits you will avoid by using quality materials. We discourage use of Chinese components in oil and gas due to numerous failures. Why risk the quality of human implants? Then again, why not save a dollar. We don't really care abut the end user. He can always get the implant replaced.

Thanks Dear,

Recently i am buying material from Carpenter company USA, but my friend told that to import material from china will save money, that's why i ask you all freind to help me out. In usa grade5 and in china T4, material is same Ti-6AL-4V, but i am confused if there is really difference then i will not go for chinese one.

And the difference in cost between a known product that you buy in the USA and whatever it is that you will get from China will be pure profit for you, no doubt.

All at the potential of injuring future recipients of the device, just so you can make more profit????????

Now, I'd really like to know the name of your company!!!

We have spent enormous effort in validating material even from the US for making implants. Every batch we buy goes through an evaluation for biocompatibility as per applicable standards. Fortunately this is not very expensive in India.

In my opinion you will be safer if you validate the TC4 before use.

Hi bioramani,

I'm too am trying to decide whether or not to go for Chinese Ti after hearing a few comments about their quality. Can you please elaborate on how and where did you do the testing for bio compatibility? It would be very helpful. I am working in Nashik, India BTW.