Titanium and its alloys are the most commonly used metallic materials for medical implants in orthopedic and dental applications due to their low density, high strength, non-toxicity, and excellent corrosion resistance. Compared to traditional stainless steel and cobalt-based alloys, titanium alloys have a lower modulus of elasticity, and it has been demonstrated that a low modulus of elasticity reduces the stress shielding effect, thereby better inducing and promoting osseointegration. These advantages make titanium alloys more suitable for clinical medical applications.
However, titanium and its alloys do not meet the clinical requirements for biomedical implants. Long-term clinical studies have shown that titanium implants exhibit poor wear resistance, and the debris generated by friction can cause inflammation and have toxic effects on the human body.
To improve the biological and tribological properties of titanium alloys, the introduction of surface modification techniques to enhance the bioactivity, wear resistance, and antibacterial properties of titanium and titanium alloys represents a more economical and effective method for improving existing conventional biomaterials to meet current and evolving clinical needs.
Currently, various physical and chemical methods have been employed to improve the wear resistance of titanium alloy surfaces. Depositing a ceramic coating with excellent wear resistance onto the titanium surface enhances its wear and corrosion resistance. Commonly used wear-resistant coatings include diamond-like carbon (DLC) and titanium nitride (TiN) coatings.
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC)
Due to its high hardness, excellent wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, and good biocompatibility, diamond-like carbon (DLC) is commonly used as a wear-resistant coating for medical metal implants. Some implant devices surface-modified with DLC have already been put into clinical use and hold broad application prospects for improving the wear and corrosion resistance of metal components in artificial joints.
Titanium Nitride (TiN)
TiN possesses good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. It was initially used on cutting tools to extend their service life. Later, it was discovered that titanium nitride is biocompatible, leading to its application in medical implants, such as those used in orthopedics and dentistry. Currently, the primary methods for preparing titanium nitride are physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and thermal spraying.
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