Biocompatible TiN coaing on stainless steel for orthopedic applications by reactive DC sputtering

Abstract

The 316L stainless steel is widely used at the biomaterial applications in hard-tissue implant including of orthopedic, dental and cardiovascular implant. Cost effectiveness, processbility and mechanical properties are the reason why the stainless steel is well-suited for medical use. However, several papers suggest that the stainless steel has a drawback as the biomaterials use due to the poor localized corrosion properties for orthopedic applications. The ion and debris which release during the corrosion cause the tissue inflammation and the allergic reaction to the patient. To overcome the stainless steel weakness, we investigated TiN layer on the 316L SUS via reactive DC sputtering with a negative bias. Fabricating TiN coating added the negative bias makes the coating layer dense and higher adhesion strength between coating and substrate. As a result, the TiN coating on the stainless steel improves corrosion property and enhances the mechanical properties. The TiN coating also improves high biological properties as well. Therefore we suggested that TiN coating on the 316L stainless steel using the negative bias at the reactive DC sputtering is the surface treatment to make the more protective coating layer for orthopedic implants.