Résumé : The microporous TiO2 layer in the vicinity of the Ti-TiO2 interface is formed by a great amount of tiny crystallites. Bigger anatase and rutile crystals stand in the outer region of the oxide. The orientation of a proportion of the TiO2 crystals is influenced by the underlying textured Ti substrate. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. on behalf fo Acta Materialia Inc.