Laser shock processing on the biomedical titanium alloys

Abstract The biomedical titanium alloys are widely applied as medical implant material due to its excellent mechanical performance and great biocompatibility. However, the disparities in elastic modulus and mass density between these materials and natural bone, as well as the binding force, the failure of fatigue, wear and corrosion will be existed. Laser shock processing (LSP) is an innovative surface enhancement technique capable of boosting mechanical performance via laser-driven stress waves. So applied LSP to improve performance of biomedical titanium alloy can be assumed as a special significance. In this study, the basic principle of LSP was a comprehensive overview, and the improved mechanical performances of biomedical titanium alloys were introduced from the perspectives of fatigue performance, biocorrosion performance, and wear performance. This study offers theoretical insights to facilitate deeper understanding of LSP mechanisms and their role in enhancing biomedical titanium alloy performance.