Hydrothermal calcium modification of 316L stainless steel and its apatite forming ability in simulated body fluid

To understand the feasibility of calcium (Ca) modification of type 316L stainless steel (316L SS) surface using hydrothermal treatment, 316L SS plates were treated hydrothermally in calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis revealed that the surface of 316L SS plate was modified with Ca after hydrothermal treatment at 200 degrees C. And the immobilized Ca increased with CaCl2 concentration. However no Ca-modification was occurred for 316L SS plates treated at 100 degrees C. When Ca-modified 316L SS plate was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma, low crystalline apatite was precipitated on its surface whereas no precipitate was observed on non Ca-modified 316L SS. The results obtained in the present study indicated that hydrothermal treatment at 200 degrees C in CaCl2 solution is useful for Ca-modification of 316L SS, and Ca-modification plays important role for apatite precipitation in SBF.