Surface functionalization of selective electron beam melting pure tantalum by micro-arc oxidation

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2021-12, Vol.428, p.127880, Article 127880
• Main Authors: Yang, Xin, Wang, Ben, Gu, Wen-ping, Zhang, Zhao-yang, Chen, Yuan-qing, Wu, Tao, Wang, Qiang-bing, Tang, Hui-ping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apatite; Biomedical materials; Bone-like apatite; Corrosion resistance; Electron beam melting; MAO; Oxidation; Oxide coatings; Protective coatings; Pure Ta; SEBM; Structural hierarchy; Substrates; Surface functionalization; Tantalum; Thickness
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127880

Selective electron beam melting (SEBM) technology provides great flexibility for tantalum (Ta) application in the next generation of personalized biomedicine. This article aims to prepare bone-like apatite coatings on the SEBM pure Ta surfaces by Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and systematically investigate the detailed morphologies, coating thickness and corrosion resistance of as-built samples and MAO coatings. Results show that the hierarchical structures of Ta oxide coatings with thickness of 3–5 μm are successively prepared by MAO with constant current mode on the surfaces of SEBM pure Ta. Bioactive Ca, P-contained amorphous coatings are uniformly dispersed in the hierarchical porous structure and are tightly connected with substrate. The passive current of SEBM pure Ta is decreased significantly by two orders of magnitude after MAO treatment in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The MAO coatings can provide positive protective effects for SEBM pure Ta and exhibit great potential for active and further promote biomedical application of SEBM pure Ta. •Dense pure Ta sample (relative density 99.5%) is successively fabricated by SEBM technology.•Relationship between the heat history, microstructure and corrosion performance of SEBM pure Ta is critically analyzed.•Double layer bone-like apatite coating with hierarchical structure firstly prepared on SEBM pure Ta sample by MAO with constant current mode.•Process parameters influencing thickness and morphologies of MAO coatings are investigated.•The MAO coatings can prevent the corrosion of SEBM pure Ta substrate and make it bioactive.