Sputtering of Titanium in Co-Cr-Mo Alloys for Orthopedic Implant Materials

Sputtering process of titanium was carried out to improve the hardness and wear resistance of the Co-Cr-Mo alloys used for orthopedic implant materials. The Co-Cr-Mo alloys were synthesized by melting process with composition of 35 wt.% Cr, 5 wt.% Mo and balanced Co. The solid Ti target was sputtered by argon gas and coated into the Co-Cr-Mo substrate at temperature of 200oC for 2 and 4 h in the nitrogen gas environment. Characterization was performed to the specimen of Co-Cr-Mo ingot before and after sputtering process by microstructure, hardness, corrosion, and wear resistance tests. The hardness, the wear resistance and the corrosion resistance in the simulation body fluid increased after sputtering process due to the diffusion of titanium that formed protective thin layer in the surface of the alloy.