The Effects of Grit Size and Blasting Pressure on the Surface Properties of Grit Blasted Ti6Al4V Alloy

Abstract

Titanium alloys have been used in biomedical and aerospace applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility, high strength/weight ratio, and high corrosion resistance. The reactivity of contact surfaces of titanium alloys can be improved by roughening up the surface via grit blasting, which significantly improves the biocompatibility and the adhesion strength between substrate and coating for coating applications. This study investigates the effects of grit blasting parameters (grit size and blasting pressure) on the 3D surface topography, areal surface roughness, and surface morphologies of Ti6Al4V alloy. Ti6Al4V alloy specimens were blasted by various size garnet particles (20/40 and 180 mesh) under different blasting pressures (1.5, 3, and 4 bar) at constant particle impingement angle (90°). 3D optical microscope analyses and scanning electron microscopy analyses were carried out to determine the areal surface roughness, 3D surface topographies, and morphologies of the grit blasted specimens. The increases in particle size and blasting pressure increased the surface roughness of the specimens. The 3D surface topographies of grit blasted specimens were visualized and discussed. The 3D surface topographies and morphologies of the specimens were varied depending on both parameters. Finally, particle embedment was determined due to the grit blasting and detected via EDS analysis.