Calcium and titanium release in simulated body fluid from plasma electrolytically oxidized titanium.

The release of titanium and calcium species to a simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 degrees C has been investigated for titanium treated by dc plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in three different electrolytes, namely phosphate, silicate and calcium- and phosphorus-containing. The average rate of release of titanium over a 30 day period in immersion tests, determined by solution analysis, was in the range approximately 1.5-2.0 pg cm(-2) s(-1). Calcium was released at an average rate of approximately 11 pg cm(-2) s(-1). The passive current densities, determined from potentiodynamic polarization measurements, suggested titanium losses of a similar order to those determined from immersion tests. However, the possibility of film formation does not allow for discrimination between the metal releases due to electrochemical oxidation of titanium and chemical dissolution of the coating.