Titanium and zirconium based alloys modified by intensive plastic deformation and nitrogen ion implantation for biocompatible implants

Titanium and zirconium alloys are considered to be promising materials for orthopaedics because of their biocompatibility with tissues. Their main drawbacks for application as implants have generally been considered to be insufficient levels of mechanical and tribological properties. In this research the influence of equal channel angular pressing and nitrogen ion implantation on the structure and properties of Ti and Zr alloys has been investigated to ensure the optimum combination of the bulk material and surface layer properties. The data obtained showed that equal channel angular pressing and nitrogen ion implantation can be efficiently used to improve bulk and surface properties of Ti and Zr based implants.