A MORPHOLOGICAL AND AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A PVD TITANIUM FILM DEPOSITED UPON AN AISI316L STAINLESS STEEL

摘要

In order to improve the biocompatibility of austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316L), titanium has been deposited upon it by a physical vapour process. Depositions have been carried out by varying experiment parameters. The new biomaterial surface has been investigated by AFM, EDX, and SEM. Further, mechanical and electrochemical tests were performed, because these are the required properties for such biomaterial implants. In this work, we focused on the relationship between shape surface factors (roughness, porosity occurrence, crystalline lattice) and surface properties. The film seems to be homogeneous, but its RMS parameter is affected by the duration of the PVD process. Crystallization of titanium is probably linked to the stainless steel surface roughness and its microstructure. The better corrosion resistance is due to the good adhesion of the columnar deposited film.