Fabrication, properties, and cytocompatibility of ZrC film on electropolished NiTi shape memory alloy

The microstructural characteristics, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility of ZrC films deposited on electropolished NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) by magnetron sputtering are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation, and MTT test. The deposition rate of the ZrC film is smaller than the pure Zr film. Although ZrC is the only phase in the film, the pure ZrC film with small oxygen content is non-stoichiometric. The hardness and modulus increase initially with larger nanoindentation depths, reach maximum values, and then gradually decrease afterwards as a result of the composite effects of the ZrC film and NiTi substrate. Deposition of the ZrC film promotes proliferation of fibroblasts revealing enhanced cytocompatibility compared to uncoated NiTi.