Surface microplasma alloying as a new approach to modification of titanium biomaterials

The paper presents the results of modifcation of titanium surface by microplasma alloying using nano-powder precursors obtained by mechanical synthesis with Ti+2% input composition and 10% by weight boron addition. The use of nanocrystalline precursor significantly affects the initial properties of the obtained layers [1]. The nanocrystalline precursor obtained by the mechanical synthesis process is characterized by a high degree of fragmentation of the structure and partial amorphization. The use of nanoprecursor powder for the modification of the surface layer using microplasma alloying method allows to obtain a composite structure consisting of phases: the matrix Ti (α) and high dispersion TiB precursors, confirmed by XRD structural studies [2]. The surface layer obtained by selecting the appropriate parameters, free of defects such as lack of joint penetration or blisters, with the maximum possible hardness range characterizes the expected system. Significant increase of hardness obtained in the surface layer relative to the substrate and improvement of the corrosion resistance tested in the solution of 0.9% NaCl in the potentiodynamic test indicates a favorable microstructure of the diphasic system with a high degree of fragmentation. The in vitro cytocompatible tests using human fibroblast cell lines and osteoblasts on modified surfaces with respect to the microcrystalline titanium base sample [3] confirm that the manufactured systems may find potential applications for the modification of dental implants or other medical applications. It has been observed that microplasma alloying is an effective method of producing Ti+TiB composite layers with a broader application aspect.