Introduction
Surface treatments are essential processes to enhance the performance and longevity of Orthopedic Implants and Instruments. Some of them can ensure compatibility with the human body. In this article, we will introduce various surface treatment processes we can offer.
Cleaning
This process removes any contaminants, such as oils, dirt, or residues from previous machining steps. Effective cleaning is essential to achieve proper adhesion and bonding during subsequent treatment processes.
Passivation
This is a chemical process used to enhance the corrosion resistance of metallic surfaces. It removes iron particles and other impurities that may lead to corrosion. It forms a protective oxide layer on the surface, reducing the risk of implant failure or adverse reactions within the body. Passivation normally don’t change the surface color so it is not detectable by operators’ naked eyes.
Polishing
It is a mechanical process that smooths the material surface. Polishing contains several steps such as abrasive polishing, buffing, honing, lapping, super-finishing. It removes imperfections, burrs, and irregularities, creating a uniform and aesthetically pleasing finish. It also helps reduce the risk of bacterial adhesion and facilitates easier cleaning and maintenance of the devices.
Blasting
It involves propelling abrasive particles at high speeds onto the surface of the devices. This process creates a controlled roughness, which is beneficial for enhancing the bond strength between the device and any coatings or bone cement used during implantation.
Acid Etching
It is applied to the surface of the implants and instruments, resulting in the controlled removal of material and the creation of a roughened texture. This roughened surface is advantageous in promoting better adhesion of coatings.
Chrome Coating
It is a highly beneficial surface treatment for the instruments. By applying a thin layer of chrome onto the surface, it offers excellent corrosion resistance and protecting the instruments from damage. Moreover, the chrome coating provides an attractive and reflective surface, facilitating easy identification and differentiation of instruments in surgical procedures. While during the actual production, chrome coating may magnify some of the minor cosmetic issues of the instruments based on its nature.
Anodization
It is primarily used for titanium based orthopedic implants. After treatment an oxide layer will be formed on the material surface. It can show an expected bright color which is obviously different from the raw material, such as golden, blue, green, red etc. The oxide layer can prevent corrosion, reduce the risk of failure, and adverse reactions within the body.
Sterilization
Depending on the material feature and regulatory requirements, various sterilization methods can be chosen. Ethylene oxide sterilization is used for heat-sensitive devices. Gamma irradiation and electron beam sterilization utilize high-energy radiation to destroy microorganisms.
Summary
Surface treatments are vital for high-quality medical devices. Each treatment contributes its own function to the overall performance of orthopedic implants and instruments.