A novel plasma nitriding process utilising HIPIMS discharge for enhanced tribological and barrier properties of medical grade alloy surfaces

The demand for improvement of lifetime and biocompatibility medical implants is ever growing. materials used in this challenging application must display enhanced tribological properties, reduced metal ion release long-term clinical performance. Surface modification techniques such as nitriding, can significantly improve the in-service behaviour grade alloys implants. This communication reports on a novel approach nitriding CoCrMo alloy using High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, (HIPIMS) discharge first time. new process has been successfully carried out an industrial size Hauzer 1000-4 system enabled with HIPIMS technology at National Technology Centre Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Due to production molecular (N2+) atomic Nitrogen (N+) species discharge, which are primarily responsible nitrided layer formation, fourfold increase productivity compared state art was achieved. surface layers produced exhibit excellent mechanical properties high hardness, fracture toughness wear resistance. protection against corrosion aggressive environments simulated body fluid (Hank’s solution) remarkably augmented. Furthermore, data showed that amount ions released from samples by factor 2, 4 10 Co, Cr Mo respectively thus demonstrating reliable barrier layer.