The Effect of TiN Coating on the Physicochemical Properties of Ti-13Nb-13Zr Alloy for Biomedical Applications

Biomaterials used for bone implants should be characterized by good corrosion resistance, appropriate mechanical and electrical properties, high metallurgical quality, biocompatibility, abrasion resistance, and relatively low production costs. Currently used titanium alloys are being replaced by materials with better biocompatibility, so-called new-generation titanium alloys containing elements such as vanadium or niobium. These alloys, with the addition of Zr, Fe, or Ta, give Young's modulus values approximating that of bone, thus further improving the biocompatibility of the biomaterial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on its physicochemical and mechanical properties of modifying Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy with a titanium nitride (TiN) layer using PVD. The knowledge obtained has practical significance for the use of this type of surface modification for various types of miniaturized implants used, for example, in the skeletal system. As part of the assessment of the physicochemical properties of the resulting surface layers, microscopic observations (SEM), potentiodynamic tests, impedance tests, surface wettability tests, scratch tests, and layer abrasion tests were performed. Based on the results obtained, various physicochemical properties of the modified alloy were recorded, depending on the surface modification process. As a result, better properties were noted with respect to corrosion resistance, especially for the tribological properties and the surface resistance to abrasion. The knowledge obtained from this research has practical significance for the use of this type of surface modification for various types of miniaturized implants used in the skeletal system.