Reger, Nimu Chand and Balla, V K and Das, Mitun and Bhargava, Anil Kumar (2018) Wear and corrosion properties of in-situ grown zirconium nitride layers for implant applications. Surface & Coatings Technology , 334. pp. 357-364. ISSN 0257-8972

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (1501Kb) | Request a copy

Abstract

Zirconium (Zr) and its alloys are considered as promising materials for implant applications due to their excellent biocompatibility. However, the poor tribological properties of Zr are limiting its widespread applications. Therefore, in this investigation thermal nitriding of laser processed Zr was carried out with an aim to improve its wear and corrosion properties for potential wear resistant implant applications. The influences of nitriding temperature and time on the nitride layer thickness, phase constituents, wear and corrosion properties of nitrided Zr layer were studied. The Zr samples were nitrided at 600 degrees C and 800 degrees C for 2 and 6 h in flowing nitrogen. The results demonstrated that the nitriding temperature had relatively stronger influence on the nitride layer thickness, wettability, hardness and wear resistance than nitriding time. In general, the nitride layers found to contain ZrN and ZrO2 as major phases and Zr2N and Zr7O8N4 as minor phases. The nitride layer thickness increased from 5 +/- 0.7 mu m to 26 +/- 5 mu m with increase in the nitriding temperature and time. Nitriding also enhanced the wettability and passivity of Zr. The samples nitrided at 600 degrees C for 2 h resulted in noblest E-corr of - 130 mV vs SCE with I-corr of 0.001 mu A/cm(2) in Hank's balanced salt solution. Lowest in vitro wear rate of 4.4 x 10(-7) mm(3)/N.m was recorded, against Al2O3,when the samples were nitrided at 800 degrees C for 6 h, which is 93% lower than that of pure Zr. These results demonstrate that thermal nitriding of Zr can be used to increase the corrosion and wear resistance of Zr in physiological environment.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Engineering Materials
Divisions:	Bioceramics & Coating
Depositing User:	Bidhan Chaudhuri
Date Deposited:	18 Sep 2018 07:10
Last Modified:	18 Sep 2018 07:10
URI:	http://cgcri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/4337

Actions (login required)

View Item