Surface functionalization of selective electron beam melting pure tantalum by micro-arc oxidation

Abstract Selective electron beam melting (SEBM) technology provides great flexibility for tantalum (Ta) application in the next generation of personalized biomedicine. This article aims to prepare bone-like apatite coatings on the SEBM pure Ta surfaces by Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and systematically investigate the detailed morphologies, coating thickness and corrosion resistance of as-built samples and MAO coatings. Results show that the hierarchical structures of Ta oxide coatings with thickness of 3–5 μm are successively prepared by MAO with constant current mode on the surfaces of SEBM pure Ta. Bioactive Ca, P-contained amorphous coatings are uniformly dispersed in the hierarchical porous structure and are tightly connected with substrate. The passive current of SEBM pure Ta is decreased significantly by two orders of magnitude after MAO treatment in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The MAO coatings can provide positive protective effects for SEBM pure Ta and exhibit great potential for active and further promote biomedical application of SEBM pure Ta.