Chapter seven - Anodization of titanium alloys for biomedical applications

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys are the most commonly used materials in biomedical applications. Among years, the number of Ti-based alloys, mainly binary and ternary, used as implants increased significantly. Naturally, scientists are still searching for methods of improvement of the mechanical, protective, and biological properties of such materials. Hence modification of alloys with the use of electrochemical oxidation (anodization) which allows for the fabrication of nanostructural oxide layers on the metal surface gained much interest. Moreover nanotopography of these layers allows not only to mimic the structure of natural bone, enhancing cell’s adsorption but also gives various possibilities of their impregnation with antibacterial agents, drugs, or growth factors. Therefore the synthesis of multifunctional and biocompatible materials is possible. This chapter aims to give an overview of the influence of anodization parameters on the morphology of anodic oxide layers on titanium alloys. Overall the corrosion resistance of such materials, their antibacterial properties as well as biocompatibility and several surface modifications enhancing the biological response of the potential implant are presented. Finally, a summary of the most promising strategies when it comes to implantable materials is given.