Surface characteristics of TiN/ZrN coated nanotubular structure on the Ti-35Ta-xHf alloy for bio-implant applications

In this study, we investigated the surface characteristics of the TiN/ZrN-coated nanotubular structure on Ti-35Ta-xHf ternary alloys for bio-implant applications. These ternary alloys contained from 3 wt.% to 15 wt.% Hf contents and were manufactured in an arc-melting furnace. The Ti-35Ta-xHf alloys were heat treated in Ar atmosphere at 1000 °C for 24 h, followed by water quenching. Formation of the nanotubular structure was achieved by an electrochemical method in 1 M H₃PO₄ electrolytes containing 0.8 wt.% NaF. The TiN coating and ZrN coating were subsequently prepared by DC-sputtering on the nanotubular surface. Microstructures and nanotubular morphology of the alloys were examined by FE-SEM, EDX and XRD. The microstructure showed a duplex (α′′ + β) phase structure. Traces of martensite disappeared with increasing Hf content, and the Ti-35Nb-15Hf alloy had an entirely equiaxed structure of β phase. This research has shown that highly ordered, high aspect ratio, and nanotubular morphology surface oxide layers can be formed on the ternary titanium alloys by anodization. The TiN and ZrN coatings formed on the nanotubular surfaces were uniform and stable. The top of the nanotube layers was uniformly covered with the ZrN film compared to the TiN film when the Ti-35Ta-xHf alloys had high Hf content.