Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Resistance and Bioactivity of Oxide Layers Formed by Isothermal Oxidation of Ti-6Al-7Nb Alloy

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys are among the most promising biomaterials for medical applications. In this work, the isothermal oxidation of Ti-6Al-7Nb biomedical alloy towards improving its mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and bioactivity has been developed. The oxide layers were formed at 600, 700, and 800 °C for 72 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), 3D profilometry, and microindentation test, were used to characterize microstructure, surface geometrical structure, and the hardness of the diphase (α + β) Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy after oxidation, respectively. In vitro corrosion resistance tests were carried out in a saline solution at 37 °C using the open-circuit potential method and potentiodynamic measurements. Electronic properties in the air were studied using the Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) technique. The bioactivity test was conducted by soaking the alkali- and heat-treated samples in simulated body fluid for 7 days. The presence of apatite was confirmed using SEM/EDS and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. The thickness of oxide layers formed increased with the temperature growth from 0.25 to 5.48 µm. It was found that with increasing isothermal oxidation temperature, the surface roughness, hardness, corrosion resistance, and contact potential difference increased. The Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy after oxidation revealed the HAp-forming ability in a biological environment.