SURFACE TREATMENT AND EXAMINATION OF GRADE 2 AND GRADE 5 TITANIUM

Abstract

Surface characteristics play an important role in the implant-bone integration that is required for the long-term reliability of dental and orthopedic implants. In this paper, we investigate the effect of acid etching on the mass reduction and roughness of grade 2 and grade 5 Ti under controlled experimental conditions. Three different etching compounds were investigated: 30% HCl, 85% H₃PO₄ and the compound of 30% (COOH)₂ × 2H₂O and 30% H₂O₂ in various treatment intervals under controlled temperature. Stereo microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, roughness and weight measurements were carried out on the samples. We found that neither 85% H₃PO₄ nor the compound of 30% (COOH)₂ × 2H₂O and 30% H₂O₂ were able to remove the machining marks from the surface of Ti discs in our experimental setting. On the other hand, etching in 30% HCl yielded even surfaces both on Ti grade 2 and 5 discs. We also found that etching at higher temperatures in 30% HCl resulted in significant mass loss.