Engineering a biocompatible microscale surface topography for promoting the hard tissue implant’s mechanical properties and cell response

Abstract

This study evaluated methods to improve the long-term durability and performance of the metallic hard-tissue implant materials under physiological conditions, using the β-type Ti-45Nb (mass%) alloy as an example. The focus was on enhancing surface characteristics, mechanical behavior, and biocompatibility of the bio-metallic alloy through a combination of severe plastic deformation and surface modification techniques. High-pressure torsion (HPT), as a severe plastic deformation procedure, was used to refine the alloy’s microstructure, and attained results showed that a significant reduction of the grain size was achieved without inducing phase transformations. Subsequent laser surface treatment was employed to modify the surface chemistry and topography of the investigated alloy, and surface analysis that followed revealed increased roughness and the formation of a passive oxide layer. These microstructural and surface changes led to improved mechanical properties and enhanced bioactivity of the Ti-45Nb alloy in simulated physiological environments. Overall, the combined use of plastic deformation and laser treatment significantly enhanced the performance of Ti-45Nb alloy for biomedical applications.