Introduction: Several shot peening and grit blasting techniques are used to modify the surface in the production of hip endoprostheses. A number of publications in maxillo- facial- surgery and orthopedic surgery demonstrated significant contamination on alumina blasted surfaces. Latest research studies suspected an association between surface contamination and early failure of endoprostheses associated with third body wear. Additionally, the European standard EN 12010 requires surfaces free of residual particles. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of rough blasting using steel grit followed by a pH dependent cleaning procedures with regard to complying with EN 12010.
Material and method: Ti6Al7Nb rods were rough blasted 1 time using steel grit ("Stahldrahtkorn", hardness: 56 HRC; R+K Draht GmbH, Leisnig). All blasting procedures were carried out with a special grit blasting device with direct pressure. One Ti6Al7Nb rod each was grit blasted with 3 and 4 bar pressure and 10 rods with 5 bar pressure. Surface roughness was measured by means of Mitutoyo- Surftest 301 three times before and after grit blasting. The mean value was calculated. A field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM, LEO 1525) was used for the detection of residual particles on the surface of the rods with a backscattered electron detector.
Results: By rough blasting using steel grit a mean roughness of 54,9 microm and a maximum roughness of 61,4 microm could be achieved. The surface of all rods showed a considerable contamination with steel particles after grit blasting. After the a pH- dependent cleaning procedure a residual particle free surface was detected in all samples.
Discussion: The European standard EN 12010 can be fulfilled using rough blasting with steel grit followed by a pH dependent cleaning procedure.