Effect of surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by electron cyclotron resonance plasma oxidation

Ti-6Al-4V alloy is used as biomaterials for dental and orthopedic implants because of their excellent biocompatibilities and mechanical properties. However, it is unclear that electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma oxidation can create the oxide films on Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface, and this technique improves the ability of its osseointegration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and calcification ability of the oxide films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks of rutile phase were intensified with increasing the temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a crater-like structure, and bonding strengths between the substrate and oxide film reached a maximum at 400°C. Calcium phosphate (CaP) compounds after calcification process were identified as octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and precipitation amount was maximized at 400°C. The results suggested that the altered surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by ECR plasma oxidation might have the potential of accelerating the ability of its osseointegration through enhancement of OCP.