The Influence of Carbon Coatings on the Functional Properties of X39Cr13 and 316LVM Steels Intended for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Carbon coatings are used in many different industrial areas, for example in cutting, electronics, or medical applications. On the one hand, carbon coatings have improved the functional properties of medical products because of their high biotolerance, which makes them an important material for implant coatings. On the other hand, high rigidity and abrasion resistance are properties needed in case of surgical tools. Thus, the aim of this research was to study the influence of mechanical abrasion by tumbling and chemical passivation on carbon coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS) and radio frequency plasma activated chemical vapor deposition (RF PACVD) of X39Cr13 (mainly used for surgical tools) and 316LVM (mainly used for implants). Functional properties, such as roughness, coatings adhesion (scratch test), and wettability were investigated. As a result, DLC coatings applied by magnetron sputtering were found to be the optimum surface treatment in terms of adhesion and wettability properties, being more appropriate for the use of X39Cr13 base than 316LVM for carbon layer deposition.

Analysis on the Morphology and Interface of the Phosphate Coating Prepared on X39Cr13 and S355J2 Steels

“…The thinner phosphate layer on martensitic steel is probably due to its previous passivation, which in general has a beneficial effect [ 37 ]. In this case, however, passivation adversely affects the applied top layer.…”

“…For the phosphating process to proce properly, the metal should dissolve at a moderate rate, which will enable the necessa neutralization and supersaturation of the near-surface solution. Therefore, The thinner phosphate layer on martensitic steel is probably due to its previous passivation, which in general has a beneficial effect [37]. In this case, however, passivation adversely affects the applied top layer.…”

Evolution of the Geometric Structure of X39Cr13 Steel upon Thermochemical Treatment Specific to Medical-Grade Steels

“…This steel is widely used as a biomedical material. Because of its good mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance in the environment of physiological liquids, it is used in the production of surgical instruments [23,24]. The durability of elements used in surgery, apart from the use of an appropriate material in terms of its chemical composition and structure, has a large impact on the surface topography of a given element.…”