Surface Modification of Ti6Al4V Alloy by Q-switched Nd: YAGLaser

Abstract

In this study, Ti6Al4V alloy was exposed to a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (wavelength 1064 nm, 6 Hz
repetition rate, 10 ns pulse duration, and 4 mm spot size) with energies of (280-460) mJ. This process is referred to as
laser surface modification (LSM). The effect of laser energy on crystalline structure, surface wettability, hardness,
and topography was systematically evaluated using appropriate measurement techniques such as (XRD, contact angle,
Vickers micro hardness tester, SEM). Significant increases were observed in hardness and wettability during the
decrease in the contact angle and along with an enhancement in other surface properties.