Corrosion behaviour of nitrogen implanted titanium in simulated body fluid

Titanium is one of the most important materials for medical applications, as a result of its uniquely high biocompatibility. The effect of nitrogen implantation on the biocompatibility and the corrosion resistance of cp titanium are reported. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction studies showed that implantation formed a delta -TiN(x) phase. Electrochemical tests in NBSS showed an optimal decrease in corrosion current density for specimens implanted with 3 x 10(17) ions cm(-2) at 25 keV, compared with unimplanted titanium Following implantation and immersion in a commercial physiological solution, phases are precipitated which are rich in calcium and phosphorus, and these hydroxyapatite precursors indicate that this implantation regime confers optimal properties of corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.