Abstract: The invention concerns article having a surface oxide layer up to 20 nm thick, the surface oxide layer comprising chromium and cobalt oxides where the atomic ratio of Cr/Co is more than 3. The invention also concerns methods for treating a chromium containing material, said method comprising contacting said material with a gas plasma under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the material; and contacting said material with an acid. The treated surface is corrosion resistant and can be used in orthopedic implants, especially the wear surface of the orthopedic implant to reduce wear, and other corrosive environment.

Abstract: The invention concerns article having a surface oxide layer up to 20 nm thick, the surface oxide layer comprising chromium and cobalt oxides where the atomic ratio of Cr/Co is more than 3. The invention also concerns methods for treating a chromium containing material, said method comprising contacting said material with a gas plasma under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the material; and contacting said material with an acid. The treated surface is corrosion resistant and can be used in orthopedic implants, especially the wear surface of the orthopedic implant to reduce wear, and other corrosive environment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns processes for etching a porous titanium foam or porous titanium alloy foam where a clean, dry foam product is immersed into an aqueous acid solution comprising about 0.5 to about 5 volume percent HF and about 5 to about 20 volume percent HNO3 for a time sufficient to achieve a desired surface roughness and heating the etched foam to remove residual titanates. The etching process increases the porosity at the surface of the foam but the etchant does not penetrate fully into the interior of the foam so that adequate mechanical properties are maintained. The etching process also increases the coefficient of friction at the foam surface. The foam may comprise an open-celled orthopaedic or dental implant, or may comprise a coating on the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: Methods and devices directed to surface treatment of implants are disclosed. In some instances, the surfaces are treated to have one or more characteristics that can impart low wear properties when the implant is utilized in a subject. As one example, a metallic surface of an implant can be treated to form pits in the surface, followed optionally by a smoothing step to reduce the roughness of the pitted surface. A plasma treatment can be used to form an oxide-containing layer (e.g., highly corrosion resistant and/or thick) on the surface. An acid treatment can also be used as part of a process for forming an oxide-containing layer. Other examples of method are also disclosed, along with characteristics of implant surfaces that can exhibit low wear properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns article having a surface oxide layer up to 20 nm thick, the surface oxide layer comprising chromium and cobalt oxides where the atomic ratio of Cr/Co is more than 3. The invention also concerns methods for treating a chromium containing material, said method comprising contacting said material with a gas plasma under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the material; and contacting said material with an acid. The treated surface is corrosion resistant and can be used in orthopedic implants, especially the wear surface of the orthopedic implant to reduce wear, and other corrosive environment.