Mechanical properties of surface nitrided titanium for abrasion resistant implant materials

In order to verify its application for abrasion-resistant implant materials such as abutment in dental implants and artificial joints, mechanical properties of surface nitrided titanium were evaluated by three different tests, the Vickers hardness test. Martens scratch test and ultrasonic scaler abrasion test. The Vickers hardness of a nitrided layer of 2 mum in the thickness was 1300, about ten times higher than that of pure titanium. The Martens scratch test showed high bonding strength for the nitrided layer with matrix titanium. The abrasion test using an ultrasonic scaler showed very small scratch depth and width, demonstrating extremely high abrasion resistance. The results show that a surface-nitrided titanium has sufficient abrasion resistance if it is used under clinical conditions.