Examination of clinical surface preparations on titanium and Ti6Al4V by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nuclear reaction analysis

Abstract

Nitric acid passivation, as part of the ASTM-F86 protocol for metal implant preparation, has been studied on titanium and Ti6Al4V surfaces by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA). The surface types studied, (including thermal annealing at 1250C in vacuum, rough grinding at 600 grit, and polishing at 1m) show varying surface oxide properties and sensitivity to nitric acid treatment. Changes in surface oxide properties in terms of thickness and constituent metal content resulting from nitric acid treatment are related to metal ion dissolution behaviour in a simulated biological fluid. Ti6Al4V in general is most sensitive to treatment in nitric acid by exhibiting a decrease in surface oxide thickness, an increase in Al concentration within the oxide, and an increase in dissolution of constituent metals into serum containing culture medium. Combined XPS and NRA analysis show surface oxide thicknesses to be more variable and non-uniform than XPS analysis alone would suggest.