In vitro biomimetic deposition of apatite on alkaline and heat treated Ti6Al4V alloy surface

Titanium alloy (Ti6A14V) substrates, having the ability of biomimetic calcium phosphate-based materials, especially hydroxyapatite deposition in a simulated body fluid (SBF) means of chemical treatment (alkaline treatment) and subsequent heat treatment, was studied. The effects of alkaline treatment time, concentration and heat treatment temperature on the formation of calcium phosphate (carbonate-hydroxyapatite) on Ti6Al4V surface were examined. For this purpose, the metallic substrates were treated in 0, 5 and 10 M NaOH solutions at a temperature of 60 or 80 degrees C for 1 and 3 days. Subsequently the substrate was heat-treated at 500, 600 and 700 degrees C for 1 h for consolidation of the sodium titanate hydrogel layer. Finally, they were soaked in SBF for 1 and 3 days. The substrate surfaces were characterized by the techniques commonly used for bulk material such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thin film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD). With regard to the SEM and TF-XRD results, the optimum process consists of 3 days soaking in 5 M NaOH in 80 degrees C and subsequent heat treatment at 600 degrees C for 1h. It is worth mentioning that the results showed that the apatite formed within 3 days on the specimen surfaces, however, there was no sign of apatite formation in the control samples (without alkaline and heat treatment) which was treated for up to 3 days immersion in SBF.