A. D. O. Lobo, E. N. D. Camargo, M. M. Da Silva, J. Otubo, Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica, S. J. dos Campos, Brazil; M. Ueda, National Institute for Space Research, S. J. dos Campos, Brazil
Nickel–titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys are promising materials for surgical implants due to their shape memory and superelasticity. Some studies have reported that nickel ions leached from the alloys cause toxic reactions in humans, more severely in nickel hyper-sensitive patients resulting in allergic reactions. The use of the PIII process aims to avoid the nickel release through the nitrogen implantation in the alloy surface keeping the Ni into deeper layer. This work will present the determination of nickel release in NiTi SMA (Ti-49.42 at% Ni SMA produced by the ITA group using vacuum induction melting process) having their surfaces modified by nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (N-PIII), varying temperatures, and exposure time as follow: <250°C/2hours, 290°C/2hour, both by ion bombardment heating and 560°C/1hour using sample holder heating. The determination of nickel release will be done according to ISO 10993-12 standard. The cell adhesion and morphology will be analyzed by high resolution scanning electron microscopy before and after incubation periods.
Summary: This work will present the determination of nickel release in NiTi SMA (Ti-49.42 at% Ni SMA produced by the ITA group using vacuum induction melting process) having their surfaces modified by nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (N-PIII), varying temperatures, and exposure time as follow: <250°C/2hours, 290°C/2hour, both by ion bombardment heating and 560°C/1hour using sample holder heating. The determination of nickel release will be done according to ISO 10993-12 standard. The cell adhesion and morphology will be analyzed by high resolution scanning electron microscopy before and after incubation periods.
