CoCrMo Alloy for Biomedical Applications

Electronic properties and surface potential evaluations at the protein nano-biofilm/oxide interface: Impact on corrosion and biodegradation

The formation of a protein nano-biofilm, which exhibits a special electronic behavior, on the surface of metals or oxide biomaterials considerably influences the crucial subsequent interactions, particularly the corrosion and biodegradation processes. This study discusses the impact of electrical surface potential (ESP) of a single or nano-biofilm of albumin protein on the electrochemical interactions and electronic property evolutions (e.g., charge carriers, space charge capacitance (SCC), and band bending) occurring on the surface oxide of CoCrMo implants. Scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) results indicated that ESP or surface charge distribution on a single or nano-biofilm of the albumin protein is lower than that of a CoCrMo complex oxide layer, which hinders the charge transfer at the protein/electrolyte interface. Using a complementary approach, which involved performing Mott-Schottky analysis at the electrolyte/protein/oxide interface, it was revealed that the albumin protein significantly increases the SCC magnitude and number of n-type charge carrier owing to increased band bending at the SCC/protein interface; this facilitated the acceleration of metal ion release and metal-protein complex formation. The nanoscale SKPFM and electrochemical analyses performed in this study provide a better understanding of the role of protein molecules in corrosion/biodegradation of metallic biomaterials at the protein nano-biofilm/oxide interface.

Surface Roughness Analysis and Prediction with an Artificial Neural Network Model for Dry Milling of Co-Cr Biomedical Alloys

The aim of this paper is to conduct an experimental study in order to obtain a roughness (Ra) prediction model for dry end-milling (with an AlTiCrSiN PVD-coated tool) of the Co–28Cr–6Mo and Co–20Cr–15W–10Ni biomedical alloys, a model that can contribute to more quickly obtaining the desired surface quality and shortening the manufacturing process time. An experimental plan based on the central composite design method was adopted to determine the influence of the axial depth of cut, feed per tooth and cutting speed process parameters (input variables) on the Ra surface roughness (response variable) which was recorded after machining for both alloys. To develop the prediction models, statistical techniques were used first and three prediction equations were obtained for each alloy, the best results being achieved using response surface methodology. However, for obtaining a higher accuracy of prediction, ANN models were developed with the help of an application made in LabView for roughness (Ra) prediction. The primary results of this research consist of the Co–28Cr–6Mo and Co–20Cr–15W–10Ni prediction models and the developed application. The modeling results show that the ANN model can predict the surface roughness with high accuracy for the considered Co–Cr alloys.

Study of overall and local electrochemical responses of oxide films grown on CoCr alloy under biological environments

The interaction of the physiological medium and living tissues with the implant surfaces in biological environments is regulated by biopotentials that induce changes in the chemical composition, structure and thickness of the oxide film. In this work, oxide films grown on CoCr alloys at 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl and 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl have been characterized through overall and localized electrochemical techniques in a phosphate buffer solution and 0.3% hyaluronic acid. Nanopores of 10-50nm diameter are homogeneously distributed along the surface in the oxide film formed at 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. The distribution of the Constant Phase Element studied by local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a three-dimensional (3D) model on the oxide films grown at 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl and 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. This behaviour is especially noticeable in oxide films grown at 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl, probably due to surface inhomogeneities, and resistive properties generated by the potentiostatic growth of the oxide film.

Metallic Biomaterials for Medical Implant Applications: A Review

Stainless steel, titanium alloys and cobalt chromium molybdenum alloys are classified under the metallic biomaterials whereby various surgical implants, prosthesis and medical devices are manufactured to replace missing body parts which may be lost through accident, trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. Among these materials, cobalt chromium molybdenum alloys are the common cobalt base alloy used for orthopedic implants due their excellence properties which include high corrosion resistance, high strength, high hardness, high creep resistance, biocompatibility and greater wear resistance. This paper summarises the various aspects and characteristic of metallic biomaterials such as stainless steel, titanium and cobalt chromium alloys for medical applications especially for orthopedic implant. These include material properties, biocompatibility, advantages and limitations for medical implants applications.

Hyaluronic acid stimulates the formation of calcium phosphate on CoCrMo alloy in simulated physiological solution

The behaviour of CoCrMo alloy has been studied in two simulated physiological solutions-NaCl and Hanks' solutions-each containing the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a component of synovial joint fluid, so the behaviour of orthopaedic alloys in its presence needs to be assessed. Electrochemical methods, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy have been used to analyse the composition, thickness and morphology of any layers formed on the alloy. The addition of hyaluronic acid shifts the corrosion potential and increases the value of polarization resistance. The presence of hyaluronic acid in simulated Hanks' physiological solution stimulates the formation of a calcium phosphate layer, opening up the possibility for tailoring the surface properties of CoCrMo alloy. The viability of human osteoblast-like was determined using the Alamar(®) Blue Assay, while the osteogenic activity was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity. The presence of hyaluronic acid affects the alkaline phosphatase activity.