Achieving macro- and micro-roughness on Ti alloy by etching without prior sandblasting: a surface characterization
ORRU, GERMANO
2016-01-01
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Etching is currently the most popular method used to texture the surface of dental implants. Sandblasting prior to etching (SLA) is the only method to achieve a macro- and micro-surface texture with a Sa in the 1-2 μm range, a ‘moderately rough’ surface considered to be an optimized surface. However, SLA surfaces harbor remnant particles from the sandblasting process [l]. Some manufacturers consider the residual alumina particles as a foreign material worth getting rid of. Subsequently, they forgo an optimized moderately rough surface and stick to a ‘minimally rough’ micro-roughened surface displaying a Sa < 1 μm [l]. It has been recently claimed [2] that acid etching is typically not an appropriate treatment for α-β alloys because its biphasic nature leads to an enrichment of the Vanadium-rich β-phase on the surface. The aim of the present paper is to show that it is feasible to achieve an optimized ‘moderately rough’ macro- and micro-textured surface on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) through etching only, without any prior sandblasting and to characterize the resulting surface.Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.