Laser Induced Nitrogen Enhanced Titanium Surfaces for Improved Osseo-Integration

Abstract

The osseo-integration, corrosion resistance, and tribological properties of the commonly used bioimplant alloy Ti-6Al-4V were enhanced using a laser-based surface nitridation process. The biomedical properties of the laser nitrided Ti-6Al-4V were investigated using experimental and computational methodologies. Electrochemical analysis of laser nitrided titanium in simulated body fluid (SBF) was performed to assess the biomedical characteristics in near-human body conditions. Additionally, the corrosive wear performance of these laser nitrided samples was evaluated using pin-on-disk geometry with a zirconia pin counter surface in SBF to mimic the biological scenario. Osteoblast studies were conducted to evaluate cell affinity towards titanium nitrided bioimplant material. Cells adhered to all substrates, with high viability. Initial cell adhesion was revealed by focal adhesion formation on all substrates. Cells can proliferate on samples treated with 1.89 and 2.12 × 10(6) J/m(2) laser conditions, while those treated with 1.70 × 10(6) J/m(2) inhibited proliferation. Thus, microstructural and phase observations, electrochemical analyses, corrosive wear evaluation, and cell behavior analysis of laser nitrided surface of bioimplant material (Ti-6Al-4V) indicated that laser nitriding greatly improves the performance of bioimplant material.