Perspectives on Metallic Biomaterials for Implants: The Emerging Role of Ti-Nb Alloys and Additive Manufacturing

Resumo

Metallic biomaterials have long supported orthopedic and dental implants, progressing from stainless steels and Co–Cr alloys to titanium-based systems. Despite decades of clinical success, challenges such as cytotoxic alloying elements, stress shielding from stiffness mismatch, and high production costs remain unresolved. β-stabilized titanium alloys, particularly Ti–Nb, are emerging as strong candidates for next-generation implants. Niobium stabilizes the β-phase at room temperature, enabling lower elastic modulus values that are closer to those of bone, while ensuring corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. When processed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), these alloys allow microstructural tailoring, texture control, and improved mechanical compatibility. This perspective reviews the evolution of metallic biomaterials, outlines the limitations of conventional alloys, and discusses the advantages of advanced β-Ti systems. Future directions emphasize integrating alloy design, additive manufacturing, and cost-effective strategies to enable safer, more reliable, and patient-specific biomedical implants.