Surface modification of titanium by pack cementation treatment using calcium phosphate powders for biomedical applications

The surface modification of commercially pure titanium by pack cementation treatment using hydroxyapatite (HAp) or tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) powder was investigated for temperatures ranging from 773 K to 1073 K. An HAp phase was detected on the surface of the titanium substrates after pack cementation treatment at temperatures of 973 K and 1073 K. After treatment using HAp and TTCP powders, a reaction layer with small HAp particles and pores containing small HAp particles, respectively, was observed. Apatite crystallites with a network pattern formed on the pack-cementation-treated titanium substrates after the substrates were immersed in Kokubo solution for 43.2 ks; such rapid apatite formation suggests that pack cementation treatment improves the biocompatibility of titanium.