Abstract
Alkali solution- and heat-treatments were employed to modify the surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-40Nb-1Hf and Ti-30Nb-1Fe-1Hf alloys, and then the surface characteristics and the biocompatibility of the treated alloys were analyzed. The formation of porous surfaces that contain numerous nano-pores and irregular cracks, together with the increase in hydroxyl, TiO2 and Nb2O5 contents in the surface layer of the treated Ti-40Nb-1Hf and Ti-30Nb-1Fe-1Hf alloys, have been found to enhance biocompatibility which was evaluated by the osteoblast cell culture in vitro. In addition, the biocompatibility of both Ti-40Nb-1Hf and Ti-30Nb-1Fe-1Hf alloys are comparable to that of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Alkali solution- and heat-treatments are believed to enhance bone-bonding ability of both Ti-40Nb-1Hf and Ti-30Nb-1Fe-1Hf alloys, and therefore are useful for surface modification practice.
