Surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V alloys manufactured by selective laser melting: Microstructural and tribo-mechanical characterization

Medical grade of both titanium (Ti) and Ti6Al4V alloy are recognized as the metallic biomaterials with the better outcomes for clinical repair of bone tissue thanks to their suitable mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, those Ti advantages are not enough to avoid failure risks of...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Torres Hernández, Yadir, Sarria, Perla, Gotor Martínez, Francisco José, Gutiérrez, Eliel, Peón Avés, Eduardo, Beltrán, Ana M., González, Jesús E.
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2018
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repository:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/80464
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/80464
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2018.05.015
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Selective laser melting
Surface modification
Titanium alloys
Tribo-mechanical behavior
Biomaterials
Description
Summary:Medical grade of both titanium (Ti) and Ti6Al4V alloy are recognized as the metallic biomaterials with the better outcomes for clinical repair of bone tissue thanks to their suitable mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, those Ti advantages are not enough to avoid failure risks of bone implants; between 5 and 10% of Ti implants fail due to a deficient osseointegration, within 5 years of post-implantation. Most of these failures indicate the necessity of getting a better biomechanical-biofunctional balance. Microstructural and tribomechanical characterizations were performed on Ti6Al4V samples obtained by selective laser melting and subjected to different surface treatments (thermal stress relief, acid etching, chemical treatment and thermochemical treatment). Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for detailed characterization of the elemental composition, phase analysis and surface morphology. Micro-hardness and scratch tests were employed to evaluate the tribo-mechanical properties, which were improved after consecutive surface treatments. Protuberances with spherical morphology, as a remainder of the original powder, were present on the surface. The resulting modified surfaces were constituted by rutile (major phase) and anatase (minor phase). Submicro-nano-topographies were obtained after the chemical and thermochemical treatments.