Titanium alloys are commonly used in medicine to manufacture orthopedic implants, such as hip joint replacements.
The table below compares some properties of pure titanium with a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V).
| Substance | Density in g/cm3\text{g/cm}^3g/cm3 | Relative hardness | Resistance to corrosion in saline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Titanium | 4.51 | Low | High |
| Titanium Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) | 4.43 | Very High | Extremely High |
Explain, using the information in the table, why the titanium alloy, rather than pure titanium, is preferred for making orthopedic hip implants.
97 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 6.1 Transition metals, alloys and corrosion, covering 6.1.1 Properties of transition metals, 6.1.2 Corrosion and its prevention, and 6.1.3 Alloys and the uses of metals. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.