Effect of CaCl2 hydrothermal treatment on the bone bond strength and osteoconductivity of Ti–0.5Pt and Ti–6Al–4V–0.5Pt alloy implants

To achieve osteoconductivity, Ti–0.5Pt and Ti–6Al–4V–0.5Pt alloys were hydrothermally treated at 200°C in 10 mmol/l CaCl2 aqueous solution for 24 h (HT-treatment). We conducted histological investigations of the HT-treated materials by using Wistar strain rats (SD rats) to evaluate the usefulness of the treatment. To measure the bone bond strength, the specimens were implanted in the tibia of SD rats, and a pull-out test was conducted. From the early postoperative stages, direct bone contact was obtained for the HT-treated implants. Within 1–4 weeks of implantation, the bone contact ratios and bone bond strengths of the HT-treated implants were higher than those of the non-treated implants. The Ti–0.5Pt and Ti–6Al–4V–0.5Pt alloys with HT-treatment showed the potential to develop a new implant with a high bone bond strength and rapid osteoconduction.