Tribological Characterization of Laser Microtextured Ti-6Al-4V Eli Alloy for Biomedical Applications

Author

Nicholas Ricardo Perez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Javier A. Ortega

Second Advisor

Isaac Choutapalli

Third Advisor

Horacio Vasquez

Abstract

Titanium alloys have been gaining popularity in multiple fields due to their impressive physical properties, but struggle with poor tribological performance. This thesis aims to mitigate the poor tribological performance of titanium alloys through a laser microtexturing process. Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) alloy disks were evaluated against ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) pins. Four texturing patterns were created by changing the texture area fraction from 5 to 20% that were evaluated against untextured control samples. The tribological properties of the laser textured Ti-6Al-4V ELI disks were determined using a pin-on-disk tribometer under lubricated sliding conditions, using fetal bovine serum as the lubricant. Laser surface texturing reduced the coefficient of friction through the enhancement of hydrodynamic lubrication facilitated by the textures. Laser texturing allows for longer lasting implants through the improvement of tribological performance between the Ti-6Al-4V ELI disks and the polymer materials evaluated.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Nicholas Ricardo Perez. https://proquest.com/docview/3240867231

Recommended Citation

Perez, N. R. (2025). Tribological Characterization of Laser Microtextured Ti-6Al-4V Eli Alloy for Biomedical Applications [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1699