Biocompatible and mechanical properties of low temperature deposited quaternary (Ti,Al,V)N coatings on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy substrates

A series of quaternary (Ti, Al, V) N coating layers were obtained by low temperature reactive plasma sputtering in differing deposition conditions to improve the wear resistance and the biocompatibility of a titanium surgical alloy, specifically Ti-6Al-4V. Characterization of the mechanical properties, structure and the chemical composition of the coating layer was explored by microhardness test, ball against flat wear test, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The biocompatibility of the optimum coating layer (as determined by mechanical performance) was examined by a modified MTT toxicity test and by monitoring cell growth assessed by quantitative stereological analysis. The experimental results are encouraging, indicating that this low temperature deposited, dense, quaternary (Ti,Al,V) N coating layer exhibits improved mechanical properties such as high hardness and excellent adhesion to a Ti alloy substrate and is highly biocompatible.