Metallic surface architectures realized through plastically deformed micro‐volumes

Abstract

AbstractFor developing performing medical devices, the biomechanical adaptation plays a key role for both, the bulk material (at macro scale) and surfaces (at micro/nano scale). As concerning the interaction of living cells with artificial surfaces, the cellular mechano‐sensitivity has direct effects on tissue structure and functions. In this work, surfaces architectures, obtained by self‐nano‐crystallization, were realized on a gum‐alloy as substrate (titanium‐niobium‐zirconium‐iron‐oxygen), using silicone masks with micrometric patterns/perforations, on which a near‐surface‐severe‐plastic‐deformation process was applied. For finding 3D suitable geometries of the perforations and their distribution on the masks, generative design algorithms were developed using dedicated software tools. The masks were obtained by 3D printing using the fused filament fabrication method. Multidirectional repeated mechanical impacts on the sample surface with high velocity balls at high strain rates were applied. Deeper compressive residual stresses are generated, creating a superficial self‐nano‐crystallized structure on un‐covered areas, due to small volume‐multidirectional local plastic deformation. The applied parameters have a direct effect on local micro‐topography and microstructure evolution.