Characterization of the surface layers formed on titanium by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the surface modification of titanium by the PEO method (plasma electrolytic oxidation) in the solutions which contain Ca, P, Si and Na. The chemical composition of the thus formed surface layers was examined by XPS and EDS. The morphology of the surface was observed by SEM. The phase composition was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The adhesive strength of the oxide layers was evaluated by the scratch-test. The corrosion resistance was determined in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at a temperature of 37 °C by electrochemical methods for various exposure times. The oxide layers obtained were porous and enriched with Ca, P, Si and Na and their properties depended on the electrolyte solution and the parameters of the oxidation process. The results of the electrochemical examinations show that the surface modification by PEO does not worsen the corrosion resistance of titanium after a 13 h exposure in SBF. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicate that the surface layers have a complex structure and that their electric properties undergo changes during long-term exposures in SBF.