Abstract:
Nanostructured oxide layers formed on the surface of Ti6Al4V alloys by thermal
oxidation, anodic oxidation and alkali-hydrothermal treatment play an important role in the
enhancement of their resistant to wear and corrosion, biocompatibility and osseointegration in
the human body.
Different surface structures, morphologies and topographies were obtained as revealed by
using the x-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force
microscopy. The nature of thermal compact oxides was found to be dependent on the
temperature and the duration of oxidation, the anatase presents the predominant phase at
500°C, while it disappears at 700°C, where the rutile becomes the predominant phase with
the presence of alumina phase. The layers thickness and roughness increase with the
temperature and the duration of treatment. Diameters and lengths of anodic nanotubes
increase with the increase of applied potentials, nanopores dimensions increase also with the
increase of alkalin-hydrothermal treatment duration.
All studied surfaces exhibit good wear and corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, as
assessed by friction essays, open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,
cyclic polarisation curves and cells culture assays.
