| abstract |
An orthopaedic joint prosthesis component comprises a metallic body comprising a metal or metal alloy, and a bearing surface disposed on the body, the bearing surface comprising a boronised layer of the metal or metal alloy. A prosthesis component can be made by a method which comprises providing a medical implant or medical implant part having a metallic body, providing a boronising agent which yields boron upon heating, heating the boronising agent to a temperature at which the boronising agent yields boron, contacting at least a portion of the metallic body with the boron produced by the boronising agent, and heating the medical implant or medical implant part to an elevated temperature for a time sufficient for at least a portion of the boron produced by the boronising agent to diffuse into at least a portion of the metallic body of the medical implant or medical implant part. |