**2.7 Surface processing for bio-medical application**

In the case of implant materials, the interaction between the biological environment and the implanted materials occurs on the biomaterial surface. Clinical

**57**

**Figure 4.**

*Processing of Beta Titanium Alloys for Aerospace and Biomedical Applications*

biomedical beta titanium alloys is schematically shown in **Figure 4**.

wear resistance through the formation of the titanium carbide [37].

*Overview of surface modification of beta titanium alloys for biomedical application [33].*

**2.8 Powder metallurgy**

success of implant materials is greatly dependent on various surface characteristics viz. chemical inertness, texture, corrosion resistance and surface energy [31] . In the case of orthopaedic implants, the surface should possess more bone forming ability and for blood contacting devices, it should not initiate any blood clot formation. Hence surface modification of biomedical grade beta titanium alloys is very significant. Oxide layer formation will occur spontaneously on the surface of titanium on exposure to air. This TiO2 film possesses a thickness of about 1.5 to 10 nm at room temperature. Chemical stability and structural characteristics of this oxide film greatly influence the biocompatibility of titanium implant materials. Some of the potential methods to enhance the properties of native TiO2 film are anodisation, sol–gel methods, acidic and alkaline treatments [32]. In addition to these, specific surface topographies and roughness induced by mechanical surface modifications (sandblasting, grit blasting, peening) have improved the clinical success of implant materials. An overview of the various surface modification techniques employed for

In dental applications, Laser Nitriding has proved to be an effective process in enhancing the surface hardness, the coefficient of friction and corrosion resistance of the Ti-20Nb-13Zr and wear and corrosion resistance of Ti-13Nb-13Zr biomedical-beta alloys [34, 35]. Plasma nitrided beta 21S (Ti-15Mo-3Nb-3Al-0.2Si) alloy showed higher hardness but inferior corrosion resistance compared to the untreated alloy [36]. In line with the Nitriding, carburising of Ti-13Nb-13Zr (a biomedical beta alloy used for artificial joints) improved the surface hardness and

As mentioned in the introduction (Section 1), a major limiting factor for the titanium application is its high production cost. In addition to the high raw

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81899*

### *Processing of Beta Titanium Alloys for Aerospace and Biomedical Applications DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81899*

success of implant materials is greatly dependent on various surface characteristics viz. chemical inertness, texture, corrosion resistance and surface energy [31] . In the case of orthopaedic implants, the surface should possess more bone forming ability and for blood contacting devices, it should not initiate any blood clot formation. Hence surface modification of biomedical grade beta titanium alloys is very significant. Oxide layer formation will occur spontaneously on the surface of titanium on exposure to air. This TiO2 film possesses a thickness of about 1.5 to 10 nm at room temperature. Chemical stability and structural characteristics of this oxide film greatly influence the biocompatibility of titanium implant materials. Some of the potential methods to enhance the properties of native TiO2 film are anodisation, sol–gel methods, acidic and alkaline treatments [32]. In addition to these, specific surface topographies and roughness induced by mechanical surface modifications (sandblasting, grit blasting, peening) have improved the clinical success of implant materials. An overview of the various surface modification techniques employed for biomedical beta titanium alloys is schematically shown in **Figure 4**.

In dental applications, Laser Nitriding has proved to be an effective process in enhancing the surface hardness, the coefficient of friction and corrosion resistance of the Ti-20Nb-13Zr and wear and corrosion resistance of Ti-13Nb-13Zr biomedical-beta alloys [34, 35]. Plasma nitrided beta 21S (Ti-15Mo-3Nb-3Al-0.2Si) alloy showed higher hardness but inferior corrosion resistance compared to the untreated alloy [36]. In line with the Nitriding, carburising of Ti-13Nb-13Zr (a biomedical beta alloy used for artificial joints) improved the surface hardness and wear resistance through the formation of the titanium carbide [37].
