Mechanical properties of a-C:H/Ti layers on prosthodontic CoCr and NiCr alloys

Co-Cr and Ni-Cr alloys are widely used in dental implants production. However, there is a risk connected with application of this kind of materials like allergy and methalosis caused by Cr, Ni ions, very dangerous for patients’ health and life. Moreover metal ions released into human body can affect inflammation of the surrounding tissue. Biomaterials’ surface treatment by the deposition of diamond-like carbon films can noticeably improve the corrosion and mechanical features. Widely discussed in world’s literature problems with adhesion of DLC layers can be solved by the deposition of gradient a-C:H/Ti layer. Due to that, it is possible to manufacture thick and well adherent carbon layer on the implant’s surface which will constitute a very good protection against wear and corrosion. Our goal was to evaluate the mechanical properties of a-C:H/Ti layers deposited on CoCr and NiCr alloys in hybrid deposition system RF PACVD/MSand to find the influence of layer thickness on the selected properties. As the result of the investigation it was noticed that deposition of a-C:H/Ti layer improves the mechanical properties of CoCr and NiCr alloys. High hardness and good adhesion of gradient carbon layers makes them a very perspective material for this kind of applications.