TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing wettability, wear, and corrosion resistance of magnesium RZ5 biomaterial via pulsed laser surface texturing (LST)
AU - Ampah-Essel, John Ekow
AU - Appiah, Augustine Nana Sekyi
AU - Wożniak, Anna
AU - Bialas, Oktawian
AU - Ardayfio, Beatrice N.A.
AU - Newlands, Pearline A.
AU - Asante, Joshua T.
AU - Agyei-Tuffour, Benjamin
AU - Adamiak, Marcin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/11
Y1 - 2025/11
N2 - Biodegradable magnesium alloys like RZ5, containing rare earth elements, hold promise for implants due to their favorable biocompatibility. However, rapid corrosion and poor wear resistance limit their use. This study investigated the effects of laser surface texturing (LST) on RZ5 to enhance its multifunctional performance. Three LST patterns were applied: honeycomb single-pass (HC_SP), honeycomb double-pass (HC_DP), and square single-pass (SQ_SP). HC_SP showed the best balance of properties, with improved microhardness and the lowest wear rate under wet sliding conditions. It also exhibited reduced corrosion current density, indicating improved corrosion resistance. Dynamic wettability studies revealed that HC_SP transitioned from an initial contact angle of 105° to 55° at equilibrium within 60 seconds, reflecting enhanced hydrophilicity and higher surface energy.
AB - Biodegradable magnesium alloys like RZ5, containing rare earth elements, hold promise for implants due to their favorable biocompatibility. However, rapid corrosion and poor wear resistance limit their use. This study investigated the effects of laser surface texturing (LST) on RZ5 to enhance its multifunctional performance. Three LST patterns were applied: honeycomb single-pass (HC_SP), honeycomb double-pass (HC_DP), and square single-pass (SQ_SP). HC_SP showed the best balance of properties, with improved microhardness and the lowest wear rate under wet sliding conditions. It also exhibited reduced corrosion current density, indicating improved corrosion resistance. Dynamic wettability studies revealed that HC_SP transitioned from an initial contact angle of 105° to 55° at equilibrium within 60 seconds, reflecting enhanced hydrophilicity and higher surface energy.
KW - Corrosion current density
KW - Dynamic surface energy
KW - Hydrophilicity enhancement
KW - Passive layer stabilization
KW - Surface engineering
KW - Tribological behavior
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105006766208
U2 - 10.1016/j.triboint.2025.110835
DO - 10.1016/j.triboint.2025.110835
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105006766208
SN - 0301-679X
VL - 211
JO - Tribology International
JF - Tribology International
M1 - 110835
ER -