Abstract
Sandblasting is an established technique in generating surface textures on titanium and other metal alloys; these surfaces are desirable in the field of biomedical engineering as they promote osseointegration of medical implants. However, this process has significant limitations including, the embedment of abrasive particles causing changes to surface composition, lack of automation, and health hazards. Laser processing is becoming more common in the medical industry as a method to generate surface textures. Nanosecond laser systems are generally used in surface processing for their benefits of productivity and cost; however, the ultra-short pulsed lasers induce less thermal damage. This study probes the use of stochastic laser processing (laser-blasting) as an alternative to sandblasting to modify surfaces of Ti6Al4V. Laser processing parameters such as power and pulse durations were investigated in both nanosecond and femtosecond laser systems operating in the IR region. Surface morphology and microstructural changes of laser blasted samples were inspected using a variety of techniques (confocal microscopy, SEM and EDX) and then compared with those that had been sandblasted. The results obtained show that through careful selection of parameters, laser-blasting is capable of generating similar surfaces produced by sandblasting with limiting thermal damage.
Published Version
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