Porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated by spark plasma sintering for biomimetic surface modification.
Porous compacts with both biological and biomechanical compatibilities and high strength were developed. Spherical powders of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which were either as received or surface modified with the use of calcium ions by hydrothermal treatment (HTT), were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering process. The porous compacts of pure Ti were used as reference materials. Porosity was approximately 30%, and compressive strengths were 113 and 125 MPa for the as-received Ti alloy powders and those modified by the HTT process, respectively. The bending strength and elastic modulus of as-received Ti alloy powders were 128-178 MPa and 16-18 GPa, respectively. Each of the compacts was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The amount of adsorption/precipitation of calcium phosphate through the compacts was measured by weight change and was observed by SEM. The compacts were covered with calcium phosphate after 2 weeks of immersion in SBF. The compacts of Ti alloy had plenty of precipitated apatite crystals, and modification by HTT accumulated more precipitation. Because calcium phosphate is a mineral component of bone, apatite, which is precipitated on the surface of the compacts, could adsorb proteins and/or drugs such as antibiotics. It is expected that a large amount of proteins and/or drugs could be impregnated when the porous compacts developed are used.
Kon
Masayuki
M
Department of Dental Engineering, School of Dentistry, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.
Hirakata
Luciana M
LM
Asaoka
Kenzo
K
D000497:Alloys; D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D000497:Alloys; D001031:Apatites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium