The relative influence of the topography and chemistry of TiAl6V4 surfaces on osteoblastic cell behaviour

Proliferation and adhesion of mouse (MC3T3-E1) osteoblastic cells and primary human osteoblastic cells were carried out on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy samples with varied surface roughnesses. Mechanically or manually polished surfaces were prepared to produce respectively non-oriented or oriented residual polishing grooves. Sand-blasted surfaces were prepared using 500 μm or 3 mm alumina particles. Surface roughness parameters showed a negative correlation in comparison to proliferation and adhesion parameters. X-ray microprobe chemical surface microanalysis showed complete disturbance of the surface element composition of the Ti6Al4V alloy following sand-blasting treatment. An AlOx-enriched layer was observed on sample surfaces. This may lead to the suspicion that the concomittant effect of surface roughness amplitude and AlOx surface concentration has an effect on osteoblastic cell proliferation and adhesion. These findings show the significance of chemical surface analysis after any surface treatment of titanium-based implants before any biological use.