Title: Characteristics of anodic layer on Ti6Al4V ELI alloy after bending

Authors: Agnieszka Kierzkowska, Marek Malinowski, Elzbieta Krasicka-Cydzik

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zielona Gora, Podgorna 50, Zielona Gora 65-246, Poland. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zielona Gora, Podgorna 50, Zielona Gora 65-246, Poland. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zielona Gora, Podgorna 50, Zielona Gora 65-246, Poland

Abstract: The behaviour of the anodised titanium alloy Ti6Al4V ELI deformed by bending was characterised in mechanical and electrochemical tests. The deformation zones formed by tensile and compressive stresses were recognised by Finite Element Method analysis. Relevant deformed surface zones were characterised by microhardness and roughness measurements and electrochemical testing (Ecorr, anodic polarisation, EIS) in air-saturated Ringer|s solution. The effect of deformation on properties of bent implant rods was investigated. Bending affected mostly the properties of material in the tensile zone of the specimen, whereas the properties of surface layer in the compressive zone and in tensile zone after rebending are comparable and not so severe. Studies in static conditions will be followed by fatigue studies. Results are important in surgical practice the evaluation of the effect of shaping applied during preoperative procedures on the performance of spinal implant systems. Studies are the basis for in vivo studies. [Received 31 April 2006, Accepted 19 March 2007]

Keywords: materials properties; biomaterials; anodised titanium alloys; bending; surface characteristics; deformation zones; tensile stress; compressive stress; finite element method; FEM; microhardness; surface roughness; electrochemical testing; spinal implant systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCMSSE.2007.016427

International Journal of Computational Materials Science and Surface Engineering, 2007 Vol.1 No.3, pp.320 - 334

Published online: 28 Dec 2007 *

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