Microstructural and Topographic Analysis on Ti6Al4V Surfaces Modified by Laser Surface Texturing for Biomedical Applications

In this article, a diode-pumped solid-state laser marking system (maximum average power, 25 W; wavelength, 1064 nm) is used to texture Ti6Al4V substrates. This investigation examines the effect of varying marking speed (50 and 150 mm s¿1) and average power (21.25 and 23.75 W), corresponding to linear energy densities ranging from 0.142 to 0.475 J mm¿1. Surface characterization is performed using a 3D focus variation microscope, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. Surface roughness variations from 0.71 to 1.004 ¿m are shown after applying linear energy densities of 0.425 and 0.475 J mm¿1, respectively. A microstructural study demonstrates a reordering of the ¿ and ß titanium phases. The applied energy significantly influences surface morphology and chemical composition, increasing the oxygen content and indicating surface oxidation. Under this study's processing and measurement conditions (sessile drop with artificial saliva), all textured samples exhibit increased contact angles (from 95 ± 5° for the substrate to 116.03 ± 6.32° and 118.9 ± 6.8° for the textured samples), indicating a shift toward more hydrophobic behavior. The combined effects of increased micro-roughness and oxide formation explain this trend. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.