Surface bioactivation of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy with ultrafine and conventional grains after chemical treatments for biomedical applications

Abstract

Recently, Ti-6Al-7Nb started to be used and recognized as an alloy of interest for orthopedic implants, to present niobium instead of vanadium. Forming structure containing ultrafine grains (UFG) metals and alloys obtained by severe plastic deformation techniques (DD) allows obtaining unique mechanical properties. Deformed alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb through a channel angular (ECAP) the structure may have an average size of grains/subgrains around 250nm .This alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb with ultrafine grains have high mechanical properties (tensile strength limit of 1320 MPa) and fatigue properties suitable for practical application. Moreover, changes in the surface of titanium alloys to bioactive surfaces and can induce specific behaviors and responses of osteoblast cells after implantation. This work aims to investigate the influence of chemically modified surfaces Ti-6Al-7Nb UFG by etching with acid combined or not with alkaline treatment on surface morphology, wettability, roughness and bioactivity in solution simulating body fluid (SBF). To analyze the influence of UFG structure all results are compared with the Ti-6Al-7Nb with conventional grains.(AU)