Tribological, anti-corrosive properties and biocompatibility of the micro- and nano-crystalline diamond coated Ti6Al4V

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 258; pp. 1032 - 1038
• Main Authors: Wang, Jingqing, Zhou, J., Long, H.Y., Xie, Y.N., Zhang, X.W., Luo, H., Deng, Z.J., Wei, Qiuping, Yu, Z.M., Zhang, J., Tang, Z.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-11-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biocompatibility; Coating; Corrosion; Corrosion environments; Corrosion resistance; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Cytotoxicity; Diamond film; Diamond films; Diamonds; Exact sciences and technology; Friction; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Nanocrystals; Nonmetallic coatings; Physics; Production techniques; Screws; Surface treatment; Surface treatments; Titanium alloy; Titanium base alloys; Tribological behavior; Titanium alloy; Corrosion resistance; Cytotoxicity; Diamond film; Tribological behavior; Diamonds; Surface treatments; Non metal coating; Titanium base alloys; Thin films; Corrosion; Biocompatibility; Tribology
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2014.07.034

Diamond coatings may provide a way to strengthen the stability of the titanium abutment screw in dentistry for improving its lifespan. Microcrystalline diamond (MCD) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films were deposited on Ti6Al4V (TC4) by hot-filament-assisted chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD). The morphology and quality of the diamond films were evaluated by SEM, AFM and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Friction and corrosion experiments of MCD, NCD coated and uncoated TC4 samples were conducted in artificial saliva. The results indicate that diamond coating lowers the friction coefficient from 0.28 on TC4 to 0.2 on MCD and 0.1 on NCD. They also promote the corrosion resistance, in which NCD films present more efficient improvements. Cell proliferation (mitochondrial function, CCK-8 assay), the pattern of cell growth and cell apoptosis with L929 fibroblast cell culture systems proved that both MCD and NCD films provide suitable and cytotoxicity-free surfaces.
•Systematic study of MCD and NCD films on improving TC4 surface performance.•Tribological and corrosion resistance test were conducted in artificial saliva.•Biocompatibility test assessed by cytotoxicity assessment and flow cytometry assessment.•NCD coated TC4 presents better performance than uncoated TC4.