title: Preliminary study of the biomechanical behavior and physical characteristics of tantalum (Ta)-coated prostheses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of Ta biomaterials in medicine started in the middle of the last century. The good biocompatibility and chemical stability, and the unique physical characteristics of Ta metal have resulted in many possible developments of Ta biomaterials.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, histopathological observation, histomorphometric analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, biomechanical testing, and examination of the coating's mechanical strength have been used to evaluate the value of clinical application of Ta-coated prostheses prepared by a plasma-spraying process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histopathological observation has demonstrated that the periprosthetic new bone tissues tightly and stably adhere to the Ta coating after the implantation, with no signs of loosening. Early after implantation, there is no significant difference in periprosthetic bone volume and ultimate shear strength between Ta-coated and Ti-coated prostheses (P > 0.05). EDX analysis suggests that the ultimate shear stress does not damage Ta coating. Mechanical strength testing shows that the adhesive strength and Vicker's surface hardness (HV) of the Ta coating are significantly higher than those of the Ti coating (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ta coating has good stability and bone biocompatibility; the extraordinary physical characteristics of Ta coating have great significance in maintaining prosthetic stability and surface porosity after implantation.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Institute of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yonghong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Lie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Haoping
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dayu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Qingsheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011817:Rabbits; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013635:Tantalum
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D013635:Tantalum