AFM and SEM characterization of non-toxic vanadium-free Ti alloys used as biomaterials

In this work, three titanium alloys have been studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine their surface topography. The alloys investigated were Ti-6Al-7Nb, Ti-13Nb-13Zr, and Ti-15Zr-4Nb, with no presence of the toxic element V, and with a possible use as biomaterials for osteoarticular prostheses. These alloys were studied at room temperature and also after a thermal treatment at 750 degreesC during 24 h, which produces a protective surface oxide layer. The aim of the present work is to compare the surface structure and morphology of the alloys, both as-received and after the oxide layer was formed at elevated temperature. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.