Surface Modification of Addition Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Alloys by Ultraviolet Pulsed Laser Scanning Technique: Morphologies, Roughness And Electrical Properties

Titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloys are widely used in medical components owing to their excellent biocompatibility with human cells and mechanical properties. To provide a habitat for bone cells such as osteoblasts and osteoclasts and increase bone strength at the bone-implant interface, several investigators have created cavities or textures on Ti-6Al-4V alloys to increase the surface roughness of the alloys and enhance cell adhesion and osseointegration. In this study, titanium alloy blocks were fabricated using selective laser melting. Additively manufactured solid blocks measuring 10 mm x 10 mm x 8 mm served as the study samples, and they were not subjected to any post-processing; however, they were subjected to laser surface modification. Experimental results revealed that the laser power and modification speed had a considerable effect on the surface roughness of the Ti-6Al-4V samples. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity of the samples was investigated after the laser surface modification process.

Automated summary

Titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloys are widely used in medical components due to their excellent biocompatibility with human cells and mechanical properties. Researchers have created cavities or textures on the alloys to increase surface roughness and enhance cell adhesion and osseointegration. Experimental results showed that laser power and modification speed significantly affected the surface roughness of the Ti-6Al-4V samples, and the electrical resistivity of the samples was investigated post laser surface modification.