Surface Properties of Shot-Peened and Plasma Sprayed Powder-Coated
Alpha-Beta Titanium Alloy Implants 2024-01-5060
The paramount importance of titanium alloy in implant materials stems from its
exceptional qualities, yet the optimization of bone integration and mitigation
of wear and corrosion necessitate advanced technologies. Consequently, there has
been a surge in research efforts focusing on surface modification of
biomaterials to meet these challenges. This project is dedicated to enhancing
the surface of titanium alloys by employing shot peening and powder coatings of
titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Comparative analyses were meticulously conducted
on the mechanical and wear properties of both treated and untreated specimens,
ensuring uniformity in pressure, distance, and time parameters across all
experiments. The outcomes underscore the efficacy of both methods in modifying
the surface of the titanium alloy, leading to substantial alterations in surface
properties. Notably, the treated alloy exhibited an impressive nearly 12%
increase in surface hardness compared to its untreated counterpart. Moreover,
the study elucidated significant reductions in the coefficient of friction for
the treated specimens—both shot-peened (0.11) and powder-coated (0.12)—in
contrast to the untreated specimen with a maximum coefficient of friction of
0.15. These findings highlight the potential of shot peening and coating
techniques to enhance the tribological properties of titanium alloys, crucial
for implant applications. The investigation delves into elucidating the likely
mechanisms underlying the surface attribute development facilitated by shot
peening and coating processes. By emphasizing their transformative impact on the
properties of titanium alloy, the study sheds light on avenues for improving
implant materials, thus advancing the field of biomaterials and contributing to
enhanced patient outcomes in medical implantation procedures.