Effect of parameters of micro-arc oxidation process on Ti-6Al-4V ELI for dental implants

ABSTRACT In order to study the variation effect of some parameters of micro-arc oxidation process (MAO) on Ti-6Al-4V samples for dental implants, several treatments were carried out under different conditions of current density, exposure time and electrolyte chemical composition. These processes resulted in generated bioactive titanium oxide surface coatings enriched in calcium and phosphorus. The MAO treatment was perfomed from two starting surface conditions: machining and blasting. After each MAO treatment, an alkali treatment was performed to evaluate its influence on the bioactivity of the coating obtained. The surfaces were characterized by means of topographic analysis with scanning electron microscopy, coating adhesion from Rockwell-C standard test and bioactivity in a simulated body fluid test (SBF). The best results (uniform and bioactive coatings with satisfactory performance in the adhesion assay) were attained with longer treatment times and in phosphoric-sulfuric and potassium diacid phosphate electrolytes. Furthermore, the results showed that the blasting treatment previous to MAO process enhanced the coating adhesion while a subsequent alkaline treatment improved MAO bioactivity.