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To be successful, an implant should be biocompatible, strong and contain surface pores to promote osseointegration. A one-step microwave sintering procedure of titanium powders was attempted in this work. The idea was to take advantage of the peculiar way microwave couple with metallic powders, i.e. generating heat in the interior of the sample and dissipating it away through the surface. This non-conventional heating of titanium powder produced a dense core with surface porosity. The dense core provides the strength while the surface pores promote bone growth. The experiments were carried out in a semi-industrial grade microwave cavity using a alpha-SiC susceptor. Power levels of 1-1.5 kW, and soaking periods of approximately 30 min were used. Microstructural characterization was carried out by a scanning electron microscope. The sintered titanium had gradient porosity on the surface with a thickness of about 100-200 microm depending on the microwave power. The pores were interconnected with size ranging from 30 to 100 microm. This kind of microstructure is favorable for cell growth. Tensile strength values as high as 400 MPa were obtained for these samples.

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Biomimetic coating of titanium and related alloys with carbonated apatitic calcium phosphate is an important area of research in implantology. While this paper specifically refers to coating Ti6Al4V, the results are valid with other related alloys as well. One step in the protocol involves an intermediate alkali treatment of Ti6Al4V to form a sodium titanate layer on the alloy surface. This pretreatment enhances the formation of the coating from simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions. Many papers in the biomimetic coating literature demonstrate the presence of cracks in coatings, irrespective of the SBF compositions and placement of the substrates. The presence of cracks may result in degradation and delamination of coatings. To the best of our knowledge, this issue remains unresolved. Therefore, the aim of this study was: (i) to examine and understand the reasons for cracking and (ii) based on the results, to develop a protocol for producing crack-free apatitic calcium phosphate coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates. In this study, the authors focused their attention on the alkali treatment procedure and the final drying step. It is hypothesized that these two steps of the process affect the crack formation the most. In the first case, the surfaces of alkali-treated substrates were examined with/without water-soaking treatment before immersing in SBF. This water treatment modifies the sodium titanate surface layer. In the second case, two different drying techniques (after soaking in SBF) were used. In one procedure, the coated substrates were dried rapidly, and in the other they were dried slowly. It was observed that the water treatment, irrespective of the drying method, provides a surface, which on subsequent soaking in SBF forms a crack-free apatitic calcium phosphate coating. Based on these results, the authors suggest a protocol incorporating a water-soaking treatment after the alkali treatment and prior to the SBF soaking treatment to obtain crack-free coatings.

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