Mechanical and Physicochemical Properties of Ti6Al4V Alloy After Plastic Working and 3D Printing Intended for Orthopedics Implants

The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical and physicochemical properties of Ti6Al4V alloy samples produced using 3D printing (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) and bar after plastic working. Both sets of samples were subjected to various surface-processing methods, including sandblasting, heat treatment (hardening for 120 min at 820 ± 10 °C, followed by cooling to room temperature), mechanical polishing, and steam sterilization. This research included macroscopic surface evaluation before and after pitting corrosion resistance tests, metallographic microscopic research, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, as well as measurements of hardness, roughness, and surface wettability. The results showed that heat and surface treatment (grinding and mechanical polishing) significantly increased the material’s hardness and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the steam sterilization process had a positive effect by increasing surface wettability, which is important for biomedical applications, as higher wettability promotes better integration with biological tissues. This is especially relevant in implantology, where surface properties influence osseointegration and overall biocompatibility. In summary, these findings indicate that the selection of manufacturing method and the application of subsequent treatment processes significantly affect the mechanical and physicochemical properties of Ti6Al4V alloy, thereby influencing its performance and suitability for diverse engineering and biomedical applications.