Surface Texture and Mechanical Properties of Titanium Miniplates and Screws for Bone Fixation

Abstract

Surface texture and mechanical properties of commercial titanium and stainless steel miniplates and related screws for jaw fixation were examinied. Titanium plates had coarser surface texture than stainless steel plates with many polishing scratches and micro concaveconvexities. The plate with a golden color was treated by anodic oxidation to increase corrosion resistance. The hardness of tested plates differed with the product and the surface was much harder than the inside in all products. All plates fractured elastically after sufficient plastic deformation under tensile tests. Tensile properties of the titanium plates were inferior to those of stainless steel plates. SEM findings of the clinically fractured surface of the plates appeared different from the tensile findings test that indicated that plates might receive brittle fracture in vivo. Therefore, strengthening of titanium plates with material composition, design, and surface treatment may increase durability in vivo.