Effects of anodizing conditions on bond strength of anodically oxidized film to titanium substrate

The bond strength of the oxide film to the titanium substrate and its inherent structural characteristics are very important preconditions for the success of titanium implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the micro-morphologies, crystalline structures, and bond strengths of the anodically oxidized films formed on titanium with the variation of electrolytes and applied current densities. In contrast to the specimens produced using sulfuric acid as the electrolyte, those produced using phosphoric acid showed quite different shapes and densities of the pores as the applied current densities were varied. The oxide films anodized in sulfuric acid consisted of anatase and rutile TiO₂, whileTiP₂O₇ was predominantly formed on the Ti surfaces anodized using phosphoric acid as the electrolyte. The oxide films, which did not experience spark deposition showed amorphous shape and their bond strengths were significantly lower than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). Those specimens which experienced initial spark deposition with a low current condition showed the highest bond strengths (34.2 MPa) within each electrolyte sub-set. The growing rates of the oxide film thicknesses in relation to the electric current changes varied according to the type of electrolyte, and the oxide film thickness influenced the bond strength.