Laser coating of bioactive glasses on bioimplant titanium alloys

Laser-assisted material processing is a promising field for new material synthesis. This study explores the feasibility of using laser as a tool to synthesize SiO2-Na2O-CaO-P2O5 bioactive glass coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloy for bio-implant application. Various laser processing conditions were explored to investigate their effects on coating characteristics. Detailed microstructure and elemental distribution on the top surface and in the cross-sectional region of the bioactive glass-coated alloy were investigated by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Bio-mineralization in simulated body fluid for both representative-coated samples and uncoated control sample for comparison was carried out. The thermokinetic effects during laser processing were simulated using a multi-physics finite element model. The results demonstrated synthesis of bioactive glass coating on the metal substrate with local segregation of Na, P, and Si elements and considerable dilution of Al and Ti in the coating from the alloy substrate impacted the bioactivity of the coating. Although the observations suggest that the laser processing is a promising method in applying bioactive glasses coatings, further efforts are warranted to optimize laser processing conditions to produce adherent coating while retaining its bioactivity.