Tribological Investigations of the Novel Titanium Alloy TNTZ-O for Dental Implant Applications: Subsequent Results of a Comparative Study

<wb:p>To date, the titanium alloy Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O (TNTZ-O) has not been used in class III medical products, despite its favorable properties for implant applications, including high strength, low stiffness, high elastic strain, and good biocompatibility. To assess the performance and longevity of dental implants within the dynamic oral environment, it is vital to understand its tribological interactions. This study examines the frictional behavior and wear characteristics of TNTZ-O in artificial saliva against 100Cr6 and compares it to established titanium alloys, specifically CP-Ti Grade 4 and Ti-6Al-4V ELI. The findings indicate that TNTZ-O exhibits higher wear volume and frictional instability, indicating the need for further optimization for dental implant applications.</wb:p>