Modifying the surface properties of a material offers new possibilities for enhancing the functional capabilities of a material. Surface texturing is one such process explored by researchers worldwide for various industry applications. In this study, nanosecond laser surface texturing (LST) was performed on Ti-6Al-4V surfaces using a solid-state laser at varying laser and texture parameters. The effects of laser texturing on various micro/nano-mechanical properties of the material have been studied. Initially, a study of the laser-matter interaction was conducted, focusing on thermal influences on grain size, microstrcuture, and nano-mechanical properties. After the fabrication of the textured surfaces, contact angles on the textured surfaces were measured. Finally, an assessment of the bio-tribological performance of textured surfaces was conducted using cross-shear wear mode testing against ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), mimicking the interaction between the metallic femoral head and the polymer acetabular liner in hip joint implants for simulating initial contact mode conditions. The lower frictional characteristics and superior wear resistance of the textured surfaces have been observed compared to the untextured surfaces under a bio-fluid immersed environment.
EzugwuEO. Key improvements in the machining of difficult-to-cut aerospace superalloys. Int J Mach Tools Manuf2005; 45: 1353–1367.
2.
BallaVKSoderlindJBoseS, et al.Microstructure, mechanical and wear properties of laser surface melted Ti6Al4V alloy. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater2014; 32: 335–344.
3.
MaressaPAnodioLBernasconiA, et al.Effect of Surface Texture on the Adhesion Performance of Laser Treated Ti6Al4V Alloy. J Adhes2015; 91: 518–537.
4.
ZhengQMaoLShiY, et al.Biocompatibility of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy implants with laser microgrooved surfaces. Mater Technol2022; 37: 2039–2048.
5.
SawanoHWarisawaSIshiharaS. Study on long life of artificial joints by investigating optimal sliding surface geometry for improvement in wear resistance. Precis Eng2009; 33: 492–498.
6.
PrasadKNSyedISubbuSK. Laser dimple texturing – applications, process, challenges, and recent developments: a review. Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering2022; 20: 316–331.
7.
MishraSKGhoshSAravindanS. Investigations into friction and wear behavior of AlTiN and AlCrN coatings deposited on laser textured WC/Co using novel open tribometer tests. Surf Coat Technol2020; 387: 125513.
8.
MishraSKTalwarDSinghK, et al.Micromechanical characterization and dynamic wear study of DC-Arc coated cemented carbide cutting tools for dry titanium turning. Ceram Int2021; 47: 31798–31810.
PawlusPKoszelaWReizerR.Surface Texturing of Cylinder Liners: A Review. Materials (Basel); 15. Epub ahead of print 1 December 2022. DOI: 10.3390/ma15238629.
11.
ShivakotiIKibriaGDasS, et al.Laser surface texturing on Ti-6Al-4V. Mater Manuf Processes2021; 36: 858–867.
12.
CunhaAZouaniOFPlawinskiL, et al.Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior on Femtosecond Laser-Textured Ti-6Al-4V Surfaces. Nanomedicine2015; 10: 725–739.
13.
MishraSKIlamparithiJSudarsanG, et al.State-of-the-art research and corresponding industrial perspective for the use of textured surfaces in machining applications. Journal of Micromanufacturing2025: 25165984241301536.
14.
SchwibbertKRichterAMKrügerJ, et al.Laser-Textured Surfaces: A Way to Control Biofilm Formation?Laser Photon Rev2024; 18: 2300753.
15.
ChyrAQiuMSpeltzJW, et al.A patterned microtexture to reduce friction and increase longevity of prosthetic hip joints. Wear2014; 315: 51–57.
16.
KennethABingtaoSWeiX, et al.Friction and wear characteristics modification via laser surface textured grooves. Surf Eng2021; 37: 658–668.
17.
XiujuZYaoXHuanY, et al.Drag reduction effect of ultraviolet laser-fabricated superhydrophobic surface. Surf Eng2020; 36: 1307–1314.
18.
MarquesACunhaAFariaS, et al.Predictive models on the influence of laser texturing parameters on the Inconel 718 surface by using Nd: YVO4 laser. Opt Laser Technol2022; 154: 108320.
19.
YangZTianYLYangCJ, et al.Modification of wetting property of Inconel 718 surface by nanosecond laser texturing. Appl Surf Sci2017; 414: 313–324.
20.
EtsionI. State of the Art in Laser Surface Texturing. J Tribol2005; 127: 248–253.
21.
ZhengQMaoLShiY, et al.Biocompatibility of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy implants with laser microgrooved surfaces. Mater Technol2022; 37: 2039–2048.
22.
SadeghiMKharazihaMSalimijaziHR, et al.Role of micro-dimple array geometry on the biological and tribological performance of Ti6Al4V for biomedical applications. Surf Coat Technol2019; 362: 282–292.
23.
WangCTianPCaoH, et al.Enhanced Biotribological and Anticorrosion Properties and Bioactivity of Ti6Al4V Alloys with Laser Texturing. ACS Omega2022; 7: 31081–31097.
24.
KashyapVRamkumarP. Feasibility study of micro-groove cross hatched surface texturing on Ti6Al4V for improved biotribological performance in metal-on-polymer hip implant. Tribology - Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces2019; 13: 150–160.
25.
KennethABingtaoSWeiX, et al.Friction and wear characteristics modification via laser surface textured grooves. Surf Eng2021; 37: 658–668.
26.
Prem AnanthMRameshR. Tribological improvement of titanium alloy surfaces through texturing and TiAlN coating. Surf Eng2014; 30: 758–762.
27.
DwivediSShawPKKumarD, et al.Comparative study on surface wettability, bio-tribology, and cytotoxicity of selective laser melted 316L SS, CoCrMo, and Ti6Al4V metallic biomaterials. Manuf Lett2024; 41: 947–954.
28.
KangCWFangFZ. State of the art of bioimplants manufacturing: part I. Adv Manuf2018; 6: 20–40.
29.
MaLFuSLiJ, et al.Combining laser biomimetic surface microtextured and PTFE solid lubricant for improved friction property of Ti6Al4V. Sci Rep2025; 15: 10457.
30.
ShahemiNLizaSAbbasAA, et al.Long-term wear failure analysis of uhmwpe acetabular cup in total hip replacement. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater2018; 87: 1–9.
31.
WilchesLVUribeJAToroA. Wear of materials used for artificial joints in total hip replacements. Wear2008; 265: 143–149.
32.
HamiltonMASucecMCFreglyBJ, et al.Quantifying Multidirectional Sliding Motions in Total Knee Replacements. J Tribol2005; 127: 280–286.
33.
PatelDSSinghABalaniK, et al.Topographical effects of laser surface texturing on various time-dependent wetting regimes in Ti6Al4V. Surf Coat Technol2018; 349: 816–829.
34.
AfokeNYByersPDHuttonWC. Contact pressures in the human hip joint. J Bone Joint Surg Br1987; 69-B: 536–541.
35.
Test Method for Wear Testing of Polymeric Materials Used in Total Joint Prostheses. Epub ahead of print 1 September 2017. DOI: 10.1520/F0732-17.
36.
CassieABDBaxterS. Wettability of porous surfaces. Trans Faraday Soc1944; 40: 546–551.
