Affiliations: [a] Neurosurgery Department, American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey | [b] Neurosurgery Department, School of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey | [c] PAVTEC - Pavezyum Technical Ceramics, Kocaeli, Turkey | [d] Chemistry Department, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey | [e] Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey | [f] Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey | [g] Neurosurgery Department, School of Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mehdi Hekimoğlu, Neurosurgery Department, American Hospital, Guzelbahce Sk. No. 20 34365 Nisantasi, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail: mehdih@amerikanhastanesi.org
Abstract: BACKGROUND:We compared the raw Ti–Al–V super alloy transpedicular implant screws with boronized and surface-hardened transpedicular implant screws. OBJECTIVE:To improve patients’ postoperative prognosis with the production of harder and less fragile screws. METHODS:Surface hardening was achieved by applying green-body encapsulation of the specimen with elemental boron paste which is sintered at elevated temperatures to ensure the boron-metal diffusion. Boron transported into the Ti–Al–V super alloy matrix gradually while suppressing aluminum and a homogeneously boronized surface with a thickness of ∼15 microns was obtained. The uniform external shell was enriched with TiB2, which is one of the hardest ceramics. The Ti-Al-V core material, where boron penetration diminishes, shows cohesive transition and ensures intact core-surface structure. RESULTS:Scanning electron microscope images confirmed a complete homogeneous, uniform and non-laminating surface formation. Energy-dispersive X-ray monitored the elemental structural mapping and proved the replacement of the aluminum sites on the surface with boron ending up the TiB2. The procedure was 8.6 fold improved the hardness and the mechanical resistance of the tools. CONCLUSIONS:Surface-hardened, boronized pedicular screws can positively affect the prognosis. In vivo studies are needed to prove the safety of use.
