Innovative Surface Treatments of Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Biomedical engineering is an advanced technology based on an extremely complex development of advanced biomaterials. Since the first Consensus Conference in Chester (UK) on Definitions in Biomaterials of the European Society for Biomaterials, in 1986, biomaterial was defined as ‘a bioinert or bioactive material used in a material advice, intended to interact with biological systems, restore functions of natural living tissues and organism in the body’. In this way, passive metallic materials (as titanium alloys), a broad spectrum of bioceramics, even biopolymers and all combinations of these biomaterials are used for numerous medical devices owing to their high biocompatibility. For example, titanium alloys can be employed for the femoral stems in the total hip joint replacement (trh) or for dental applications. Among the different clinical aims of an implant, a high osseointegration is required and crucial. In order to prevent the alloys from the aggressive body environment, surface modification of implants are employed to render them protection from both wear, corrosion and even tribocorrosion. In addition to the surface treatments, new implant materials are also being fabricated with biocompatible alloying elements to reduce the toxic effects of the alloying elements. These presentation describes the methodologies that could be adapted to overcome some of the factors leading to implant failure. It gives a panorama and shows that the different processes can increase noticeably the performance of the alloy as orthopedic and dental implant. It also gives prospects for the development of new possible ways for enhancing the biosecurity of such material.