Laser surface modification of titanium alloys is one of the main methods of improving the properties of titanium alloys used in implantology. This study investigates the microstructural morphology of a laser-modified surface layer on a Ti13Nb13Zr alloy with and without a carbon nanotube coating deposited by electrophoretic deposition. Laser modification was performed for samples with and without carbon nanotube coating for two different laser powers of 800 W and 900 W and for different scan rates: 3 mm/s or 6 mm/s at 25 Hz, and the pulse duration was 2.25 ms or 3.25 ms. A scanning electron microscope SEM was used to evaluate the surface structure of the modified samples. To observe the heat-affected zones of the individual samples, metallographic samples were taken and observed under an optical microscope. Surface wettability tests were performed using a goniometer. A surface roughness test using a profilograph and a nanoindentation test by NanoTest™ Vantage was also performed. Observations of the microstructure allowed to state that for higher laser powers the surfaces of the samples are more homogeneous without defects, while for lower laser powers the path of the laser beam is clearer and more regular. Examination of the microstructure of the cross-sections indicated that the samples on which the carbon nanotube coating was deposited are characterized by a wider heat affected zone, and for the samples modified at 800 W and a feed rate of 3 mm/s the widest heat affected zone is observed. The wettability tests revealed that all the samples exhibit hydrophilic surfaces and the samples with deposited carbon nanotube coating increase it further. Surface roughness testing showed a significant increase in Ra for the laser-modified samples, and the presence of carbon nanotubes further increased this value. Nanoindentation studies showed that the laser modification and the presence of carbon coating improved the mechanical properties of the samples due to their strength.
Laser surface modification is a widely available and simple technique that can be applied to different types of materials. It has been shown that by using a laser heat source, reproducible surfaces can be obtained, which is particularly important when developing materials for medical applications. The laser modification of titanium and its alloys is advantageous due to the possibility of controlling selected parameters and properties of the material, which offers the prospect of obtaining a material with the characteristics required for biomedical applications. This paper analyzes the effect of laser modification without material growth on titanium and its alloys. It addresses issues related to the surface roughness parameters, wettability, and corrosion resistance, and discusses how laser modification changes the hardness and wear resistance of materials. A thorough review of the literature on the subject provides a basis for the scientific community to develop further experiments based on the already investigated relationships between the effects of the laser beam and the surface at the macro, micro, and nano level.
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