Apatite-forming ability of Ti-15Zr-4Nb-4Ta alloy induced by calcium solution treatment.
Ti-15Zr-4Nb-4Ta alloy free from cytotoxic elements shows high mechanical strength and high corrosion resistance. However, simple NaOH and heat treatments cannot induce its ability to form apatite in the body environment. In the present study, this alloy was found to exhibit high apatite-forming ability when it was treated with NaOH and CaCl(2) solutions, and then subjected to heat and hot water treatments to form calcium titanate, rutile, and anatase on its surface. Its high apatite-forming ability was maintained even in 95% relative humidity at 80 degrees C after 1 week. The surface layer of the treated alloy had scratch resistance high enough for handling hard surgical devices. Thus, the treated alloy is believed to be useful for orthopedic and dental implants.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai-city, Aichi, 487-8501, Japan. sy-esi@isc.chubu.ac.jp
Seiji
S
Yamaguchi
Hiroaki
H
Takadama
Tomiharu
T
Matsushita
Takashi
T
Nakamura
Tadashi
T
Kokubo
D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D012996:Solutions; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D001031:Apatites; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012996:Solutions; D014025:Titanium; D002118:Calcium