Graded surface structure of bioactive titanium prepared by chemical treatment.

An NaOH treatment of pure titanium (Ti) forms a sodium titanate hydrogel surface layer with a smooth graded interface structure to the Ti metal substrate. Subsequent heat treatment at 600 degrees C of the NaOH-treated Ti forms an amorphous sodium titanate surface layer with a smooth graded interface structure similar to the Ti metal substrate. These treated Ti metals both form an apatite surface layer with a smooth graded interface structure to the Ti metal substrates in simulated body fluid (SBF). The smooth graded interface structures give a tight bond of the apatite layer to the substrates. Heat treatment at 800 degrees C of the NaOH-treated Ti forms crystalline sodium titanate and a rutile surface layer with a graded interface structure to the Ti metal substrate, which is intervened by a thick titanium oxide. This substrate forms an apatite layer with a graded interface structure to the Ti metal substrate, which is intervened by a thick titanium oxide in SBF. This irregular graded structure gives a less tight bond of the apatite layer to the substrate. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.