EUROPEAN CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION ON ADVANCED MATERIALS AND PROCESSES - EUROMAT 2021

Bulk Metallic Glasses (BMGs) propose a set of outstanding properties due to their inherent amorphous structure. Compared with their crystalline counterparts, BMGs usually display higher yield strength and fracture limit, good corrosion resistance and increased processability. In particular, Ni-free Ti-based BMGs show excellent biocompatibility besides attractive mechanical properties. These features make the Ni free Ti-BMGs family a strong candidate for biomedical applications and push forward the current size limitation of implantable medical devices.

However, further investigations need to be carried out regarding the capability of Ni-free Ti-BMGs to withstand dental implant final manufacturing stages, especially for surface roughness modification step. Controlling dental implant surface roughness provides enhanced implant integration in both soft and hard tissues. Currently, the roughness can be tuned through subtractive (acidic etching, sandblasting, etc.) and/or additive (titanium plasma spray, hydroxyapatite or bioglasses coatings, etc.) surface modifications. The impact of these surface treatments on the glassy structure of Ni-free Ti-BMGs and thus, on its overall properties must be determined.

In this work, different surface treatments commonly used in dental implantology and prospective ones were applied on the surface of a Ni-free Ti-based BMG. Their effects on the microstructure, the corrosion behaviour and the mechanical properties of the glassy material were thoroughly compared to those of an as-cast material. The microstructural evaluation was achieved through X-ray Diffraction measurements (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations. In addition, Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were conducted to detect compositional change. The corrosion resistance was estimated by ion release measurements and electrochemical tests. Nano-indentation measurements were performed to evaluate mechanical property alteration. Finally, topographical analysis was completed using interferometric measurements.

To complete this preliminary study further investigations such as in vitro biological assessment with both cell and bacteria cultures could be discussed.