ABSTRACT
Metals and their alloys inherently tend to form a natural oxide layer on their surfaces under normal atmospheric conditions. These oxides have been found to act as a barrier layer for electrochemical and fretting corrosion. Also, they are customizable and biocompatible. However, naturally formed oxide layers are thin and prone to breakage under higher temperatures. So, in recent years, the oxide-forming ability of metal and alloys have been explored for their applications in various biomedical implantologies. In this light, the focus has shifted to artificially accelerating the growth of oxide films on parent substrates by the application of surface engineering techniques. Anodization is such a surface engineering technique, which necessarily involves the process of passing metered DC/AC current through an electrolytic (generally acidic) medium by connecting the metal/alloy to the anode of the electric circuit. This process can be controlled by controlling the process parameters depending on the expected outcomes. Sometimes, other than enhancing product quality in terms of corrosion resistance and other industrial and biological functionalities, anodizing is applied purely for aesthetic purposes owing to the ability of oxides to retain dyes for longer durations. This chapter will primarily discuss the process of anodization on various metals and alloys for tissue engineering applications and also the scope and future of the process beyond biological relevance.
