Sputtering Deposition to Modify the Corrosion Resistance Properties of Ti6Al4V Biomaterials

Abstract

New biomedical material was prepared by enhancing medical-grade Ti6Al4V alloy to replace biological tissue or to help stabilize a biological structure, such as bone tissue to aid the healing process. We report on the deposition of bioactive hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings with a suitable structure on Ti6Al4V alloy substrate using the RF magnetron sputtering method. HA depositing has been employed for improving corrosion resistance and the biocompatibility of medical Ti6Al4V alloy. The phase composition was determined by using XRD measurements. X-ray diffraction peaks of HA (111), (211), (222), (213), (004) directions were observed. Electrochemical measurements were obtained for the uncoated Ti6Al4V alloy and HA coated in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. A clear improvement in the corrosion resistance was observed for HA-coated Ti6Al4V rather than for uncoated specimens. The results showed that the corrosion rate was reduced to 6.83088×10-3 mm/y for the sputtering deposited samples compared with 8.709372×10-3 mm/y for the uncoated specimens.