Effect of Laser Surface Texturing and Fabrication Methods on Tribological Properties of Ti6Al4V/HAp Biocomposites

Bone diseases lead to an increasing demand for implants to treat long bone defects and for load-bearing applications. Osteoporosis care and accidental injuries are major contributors to this rising need. Our research aims to demonstrate innovative material systems and methods for preparing implants that can be used in regenerative medicine. We hypothesize that by combining titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) with hydroxyapatite (Hap), we can enhance biocompatibility and tribo-mechanical performance, which are critical for the longevity of Ti-based surgical implants. Additionally, we investigate the application of laser surface treatments to expose the underlying porosity, thereby enhancing cell transport and promoting cell growth. In this study, we investigate the effects of two fabrication techniques-Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and powder metallurgy (PM)-on the properties of laser-textured Ti64/Hap biocomposites. Our findings demonstrate that the selected processing route significantly influences the microstructure, tribological performance, and surface properties of these materials. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis corroborates our results from incubation studies in simulated body fluids, highlighting the impact of phase transformations during sintering on the chemical properties of Ti-Hap composites. Additionally, while laser surface texturing was found to slightly increase the friction coefficient, it markedly enhanced the wear resistance, particularly for the PM and SPS Ti + 5%Hap composites.