THE CHARACTERIZATION OF ANODIC OXIDE LAYERS ON SELECTED BIO-COMPATIBLE TITANIUM ALLOYS

Oxide layers on titanium alloy surfaces have an influence on bio-compatibility and corrosion resistance. In order to improve them, properties of oxide layers are examined. The oxide layer can be prepared by different methods and under various conditions. This results in a creation of layers showing different composition, structure, properties, stability, adhesion and biocompatibility. In the presented paper, samples of three titanium alloys were used: Commercially Pure (CP) titanium grade 2, Ti6Al4V alloy and -titanium alloy Ti-39 wt.% Nb. Samples were anodically (1MH2SO4 / 100V/ 1 hour) oxidized. Changes in surface colouration and roughness were observed. The thickness of oxide layers was measured using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM was then used for observation of the surface topography of oxidized samples. The chemical composition of the surface layers was defined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).