Surface Characterization of New β Ti-25Ta-Zr-Nb Alloys Modified by Micro-Arc Oxidation

Abstract

The technique of surface modification using electrolytic oxidation, called micro-arc oxidation (MAO), has been used in altering the surface properties of titanium alloys for biomedical purposes, enhancing their characteristics as an implant (biocompatibility, corrosion, and wear resistance). The layer formed by the micro-arc oxidation process induces the formation of ceramic oxides, which can improve the corrosion resistance of titanium alloys from the elements in the substrate, enabling the incorporation of bioactive components such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. This study aims to modify the surfaces of Ti-25Ta-10Zr-15Nb (TTZN1) and Ti-25Ta-20Zr-30Nb (TTZN2) alloys via micro-arc oxidation incorporating Ca, P, and Mg elements. The chemical composition results indicated that the MAO treatment was effective in incorporating the elements Ca (9.5 ± 0.4 %atm), P (5.7 ± 0.1 %atm), and Mg (1.1 ± 0.1 %atm), as well as the oxidized layer formed by micropores that increases the surface roughness (1160 nm for the MAO layer of TTZN1, 585 nm for the substrate of TTZN1, 1428 nm for the MAO layer of TTZN2, and 661 nm for the substrate of TTZN2). Regarding the phases formed, the films are amorphous, with low crystallinity (4 and 25% for TTZN2 and TTZN1, respectively). Small amounts of anatase, zirconia, and calcium carbonate were detected in the Ti-25Ta-10Zr-15Nb alloy.

Antimicrobial Cu-Doped TiO2 Coatings on the β Ti-30Nb-5Mo Alloy by Micro-Arc Oxidation

“…The circuit’s current was continuously monitored during the MAO treatment process, and Figure 1 displays the current’s evolution over time. The current behavior during the MAO treatment can be divided into galvanostatic and potentiostatic stages [ 44 ]. In the galvanostatic stage (highlighted in the blue frame of Figure 1 ), the current remains constant at the limit value established before the start of the process.…”

Incorporation of Ca, P, Mg, and Zn Elements in Ti-30Nb-5Mo Alloy by Micro-Arc Oxidation for Biomedical Implant Applications: Surface Characterization, Cellular Growth, and Microorganisms’ Activity

“…Upon the Ti peaks deconvolution, the doublet relative to TiO2 was observed, with a peak (2p3/2) at 458.5 eV [53]. The Nb spectrum showed the Nb2O5 peaks of the 3d, 3d5/2, and 3d3/2 doublets at 207.1 eV [47]. From the Ca spectrum, the peaks related to the CaCO3 doublet were observed at 347.2 eV [54].…”

“…In both cases, with increasing the energy involved in the process, the TiO 2 rutile phase increased, while the anatase phase decreased. Due to the high temperatures in the coating production process and very high cooling rate [47][48][49], the produced surface was characterized by low crystallinity, ranging between 10.6 and 18.4%. Other studies have also shown the low crystallinity of MAO coatings [50][51][52].…”

Advancements in incorporating metal ions onto the surface of biomedical titanium and its alloys via micro-arc oxidation: a research review

“…Such surfaces containing calcium can regulate the cell cycle of bone cells, encouraging osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, thus having the potential to enhance bone integration. Calcium salts exhibit good solubility (under acidic conditions) and can dissolve in water without precipitating when in contact with various electrolytes, enabling calcium to be directly incorporated into titanium implant surface coatings through a single MAO technique ( Li et al, 2004 ; Ribeiro et al, 2015 ; Huang et al, 2018c ; Rokosz et al, 2018 ; Li Y. et al, 2020 ; Kuroda et al, 2023 ), as illustrated in Supplementary Table S2 .…”

“…Nonetheless, the absence of bioactivity and osteoinductive properties on the surface of titanium implants can impact their osseointegration. In recent years, the fabrication of nano/micron coatings on the surface of titanium and its alloys has gained recognition as a means to enhance their biological attributes and boost their biological activity ( van Hengel et al, 2021 ; Williams, 2022 ; Kuroda et al, 2023 ). Various techniques can be employed for creating these coatings, including hydrothermal treatment, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, sol-gel methods, plasma immersion ion implantation, selective laser melting, plasma spraying, magnetron sputtering, and micro-arc oxidation (MAO) ( Gu et al, 2004 ; Velasco-Ortega et al, 2010 ; Li et al, 2014 ; Wang et al, 2014 ; Kaluderovic et al, 2015 ; Zhang et al, 2015 ; Zhang Y. et al, 2018 ; Kaya et al, 2018 ; Kondyurin et al, 2018 ; Nichol et al, 2021 ; Bhatti et al, 2022 ; Sun Z. et al, 2022 ).…”