Formation of hydroxyapatite layer on bioactive Ti and Ti-6Al-4V by simple chemical technique

Bioactive coatings on cp-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V were prepared by a simple chemical technique. Specimens of cp-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V were initially immersed in a 5 M NaOH solution at 60 degrees C for 24 h which resulted in the formation of a porous network structure composed of Na2Ti5O11 and TiO2. The specimens were then immersed in a Ca-rich solution either at 60 degrees C or at 36.5 degrees C for 24 h. During this treatment Na+ was released and Ti-OH groups were formed. Subsequently, TiO2 dissociated from the Ti-OH group and combined with calcium ions to form calcium titanate (CaTiO3), which was embedded in a titania gel layer during the immersion period. The specimens were then immersed in r-SBF at 36.5 degrees C for 1-30 days. After immersion in r-SBF for 3 days, HAp (hydroxyapatite) spheroids began to deposit on the substrates, and within a week the surfaces were covered. The HAp spheroids were 5 mu m in size with a Ca/P ratio of 1.68 which was close to bone-like apatite (1.67). The average thicknesses of HAp layer after immersion in r-SBF for 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks were 3.8, 5.6, and 6.4 mu m, respectively. A scratch test, used to evaluate the adhesive strength of the HAp layer, showed that the HAp layer was not scraped off until the applied load reached 26 N.