Surface Modification of Titanium Alloy by Anodic Oxidation Method to Improve its Biocompatibility

Surface modification of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) has been performed by anodic oxidation method within various concentration ranges of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) electrolyte. It describes the oxidation kinetics of the anodizing process and critical analysis of process parameters like concentration of electrolyte, voltage, time and anodic current density, was performed to obtain homogenized nano-sized porous structure on the titanium substrate. XRD (X-ray diffraction technique) and FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy) were utilized for phase analysis as well as for morphological survey. XRD report revealed that porous structure appeared at 0.4 M concentration of the electrolyte and at anodic voltage of 20 V. Anatase to rutile phase transformation was observed at 0.5 M of H₂SO₄. Tribological test of anodized as well as nonanodized surface performed on pin-on-disc type tribometer suggested that anodized surface possessed high wear resisting strength compared to bare metal surface. The present study tries to enhance the biocompatible features especially bone cell attachment or cell proliferation of titanium alloy by improved surface characteristics.