Effect of Radio Frequency Sputtering and Laser Remelting on Ti6Al4V Behavior in Medical Applications

In the field of orthopedics, the Ti6Al4V alloy is frequently used as a biomaterial, due to their characteristics such as high toughness, mechanical properties, high corrosion resistance, fracture toughness, biocompatibility and high strength. Yet, it has specific issues, such as corrosion and the release of vanadium element to the body fluids. Surface treatment methods promote osseointegration and biocompatibility by providing bioactivity and a barrier effect. In this study, the biological behavior of Sputtering titanium oxide (TiO2) using radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RF) method as well as laser remelting of the pre-sputtered Ti6Al4V surface was investigated using Nd: YAG laser. Microstructure, phases, wettability, topography, composition, bioactivity of the modified surfaces were characterized using SEM, XRD, EDS, roughness, hardness, electrochemical corrosion, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The results demonstrate that the behavior of the substrate was positively impacted by the application of both surfaces engineering techniques, including the sputtering of ceramic coating and surface modification by laser remelting treatment. The improvement is owing to the formation of bioactive and more resistant surfaces. The modification of the surface performs two functions. The first serves as a barrier that prevents body fluids from reaching the implant, and it also provides a surface roughness and porosity similar to the roughness of the bone surface for the growth of surrounding tissue.